Abstract:

Cancer is a key priority, locally, nationally and internationally and caring for children and young people with cancer requires a range of specific knowledge, skills and experience to deliver complex care regimes both within the hospital or community environment (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) 2005). The overall aim of this study (Phase 1) is to design and develop free e Learning resources for health professionals caring for children and young people with cancer across the globe. This research builds upon the original course which was developed and delivered through the Paediatric Oncology Nurses Forum (PONF), Royal College Nursing (Nurse Educators) and Warwick University called www.CancerNursing.org however this has now ceased to run. The previous course had 10196 members from 118 countries across the globe with free access 24/7.

This research project is instrumental to the design, development and delivery pedagogical practice and innovation. With colleagues from across the United Kingdom specialist group, children's cancer and leukemia group, the design, development and delivery of an authentic online course will be developed. The course will be developed from findings carried out from a research study. A quantitative and qualitative online survey questionnaire with open and closed questions was developed. Survey questionnaires are known to be an effective method of collecting large amounts of data to describe an area in which there is a limited amount of existing knowledge (Polit and Beck 2009). This method also suits the geographical diversity and fixed amount of time available while allowing for all health professionals to be involved directly within specialist oncology services. This was developed through the Edinburgh Napier University Novi software and information and informed consent is built into this tool. Ethical permission was grant from the School of Nursing and Midwifery ethical committee and the questionnaires were sent out via the specialist group www.cclg.org.uk to a convenience sample of 700 health care professionals who work within this specialist group. The CCLG supports practice development, research and education for children and young people with cancer throughout the United Kingdom and is a multi-professional group. Findings from the study will support the development of technology enhanced learning in an innovative and creative way. Podcasts, patient stories and short film will be designed and developed along with content and information that will support health professionals in practice. This will be purely an e learning resource.

Keywords:

Children, young people, education, e-learning, cancer, care.