2005/2006 Project

As disseminating information to the appropriate audience is the first part of an effective implementation strategy, NICE is assessing the effectiveness of our current approach. Part of this assessment has involved us looking at how we present recommendations and whether online educational packages would improve awareness of guideline recommendations.

Online educational tools to raise awareness of the recommendations in the NICE guideline on referral for suspected cancer have been developed.  The guideline covers ten cancers, but the project focuses on: breast cancer, lung cancer, lower and upper gastrointestinal cancers, gynaecological and urological cancers. 

The educational tools have been developed by BMJ learning and Doctors.net.uk and made available via their websites. Both organisations have evaluated the use of the tools by doctors. Doctors’ knowledge of the NICE guidance and changes in understanding following participation in the educational package  have been assessed. Both pilot projects showed that participation in online learning can significantly increase doctors’ knowledge and awareness of NICE recommendations. Qualitative feedback from the participants was positive.