The Effects of an Online Curriculum Based Approach to CME on Hematologist/Oncologists’ Ability to Treat Patients with BTK Inhibitors for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Mantle Cell Lymphoma

Background:

The treatment paradigms for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) are rapidly evolving. Fortunately, treatment options for CLL and MCL have expanded considerably in recent years thanks to an improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying this disease. Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors are one such treatment option. Although BTK inhibitors bring new hope to patients with CLL and MCL, the rapid introduction of these agents has also increased the complexity of treatment, making it challenging for many hematologist/oncologists to incorporate these novel therapies into clinical practice. Given how quickly the use of BTK inhibitors in CLL and MCL treatment is evolving, it is difficult for even the most conscientious healthcare provider to stay up to date on advances.

Aims:

The aim of this study was to determine whether a comprehensive continuing medical education (CME) online curriculum could improve hematologist/oncologists’ knowledge, competencies, and confidence in managing therapy for CLL and MCL with BTK inhibitors.

Methods:

The educational analysis consisted of 6 online, CME-certified activities developed in collaboration with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Educational impact was assessed with repeated pre-/post-education including multiple choice knowledge/competence questions and 5-point Likert scale confidence questions. Data from hematologists/oncologists from the United States who completed pre- and/or post-education assessments were analyzed. Absolute changes in percentage of correct responses and clinicians who were confident (value of 4 or 5) were used to measure improvement in knowledge, competency, and confidence. A McNemar’s test assessed significant levels of changes reported with P values < .05 considered statistically significant. The activities in this series launched March 21, 2023 through December 5, 2023, with each activity available to learners for 1-year from launch date; data were collected through July 2024.

Results:

Multiple questions were referenced to aggregate data by theme across the 6 activities (n ranged from 56-100). Overall improvements in absolute change in knowledge/competency by learning theme were observed. Participating hematologist/oncologists demonstrated statistically significant improvements in knowledge/competency related to awareness of the MOA of emerging BTK inhibitors (47% pre to 76% post, absolute improvement change [AIC] 29%, p<.001), implementing guidelines-based treatment strategies in MCL (27% pre to 79% post, AIC 52%, p<.001), safety/efficacy evidence of current CLL therapies (25% pre to 52% post, AIC 27%, p<.001), and safety/efficacy evidence of emerging CLL therapies (45% pre to 63% post, AIC 63%, p<.01). 48% of participating hematologist/oncologists improved confidence in their ability to describe the most recent data with BTK inhibitors for B-cell malignancies after education (P<.001).

Summary/Conclusion:

An online curriculum-based approach was successful in improving knowledge, competency, and confidence of participating hematologist/oncologists’ ability to personalize care with BTK inhibitors for patients with B-cell malignancies. These results show the ability of education to translate to improvements in clinical care for patients with CLL and MCL. Continued curricula-based education can serve as a comprehensive means to further increase clinicians’ abilities in this clinical setting and optimize patient outcomes.

Acknowledgements: These CME activities were supported through independent educational grants from Lilly.