Skip to main content
IFHNOS 2026
Evaluation of a CPD-Accredited Online Education Module for Early Detection of Head and Neck Cancer in Primary Care
Verbal Presentation

Verbal Presentation

9:20 am

29 August 2026

Mezzanine M1

Concurrent Session: Pathways and Models of Care

Themes

Default

Talk Description

Institution: Head and Neck Cancer Australia - NSW, Australia

Aims: Head and neck cancer (HNC) outcomes depend heavily on early detection, yet diagnosis is often delayed. To evaluate the perceived utility of a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accredited online education module on HNC for primary care providers (general practitioners and general dentists), The changing face of head and neck cancer, developed by Head and Neck Cancer Australia (HANCA) with funding from the Federal Department of Health. Methodology: We analysed de-identified post-activity evaluation survey data collected from participants who completed the online module which addressed key domains including HNC epidemiology, recognition of signs and symptoms, clinical examination, referral pathways, and survivorship care. Survey items assessed the extent to which predefined learning outcomes were met, perceived relevance to clinical practice and ability to identify HNC. Results: The majority of 2068 participants, who completed the education module over the 12 month period between June 2023 and June 2024, rated that their learning outcomes were entirely met regarding knowledge of changes in HNC epidemiology (99.5%), identifying signs and symptoms of HNC (98.6%), selecting optimal referral pathways for suspected HNC (99.7%) and outlining survivorship support needs in HNC (99.4%). Most GPs (98.9%) felt their learning needs regarding performing HN examination were met. Similarly, most general dentists (99.4%) felt their learning needs regarding intra oral examination to screen for oral and related malignancies were met. The majority (98.9%) felt the learning activity was relevant to their practice and all affirmed that it impacted on their ability to identify HNC. Conclusion: A CPD accredited education intervention appears to meet learning needs of primary care providers and was perceived to be relevant and impactful on their ability to detect HNC. Examining if this translates to early detection and appropriate referral of patients will be important.
Presenters
Authors
Authors

A/Prof Purnima Sundaresan - The University of Sydney (New South Wales, Australia) , Kiran Viranna - Head and Neck Cancer Australia (New South Wales, Australia) , Nadia Rosin - Head and Neck Cancer Australia (New South Wales, Australia) , Carolyn Smith - Head and Neck Cancer Australia (New South Wales, Australia) , Felix Sim - University of Melbourne (Victoria, Australia) , Matt Magarey - Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (Victoria, Australia)