Breaking Down Molecular Testing for Patients: Communication Essentials

Breaking Down Molecular Testing for Patients: Communication Essentials is organized by Healio.

Start Date: 09/12/2024
End Date: 09/12/2025

Description:
Shared decision-making is an important aspect of cancer care. Patients who understand the significance of molecular testing in diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment options are better equipped to participate in their treatment decisions. This activity will provide suggestions and examples for improving conversations with patients and their families when discussing molecular testing with patients. Additional resources to support patient communication and education are provided in a downloadable toolkit.

Learning Objectives:
After completing this activity, learners should be better able to:

• Describe the benefits and impacts of molecular testing to patients
• Incorporate effective communication techniques, including appropriate level of detail and shared decision-making, into the patient-provider dialogue
• Identify areas that could be improved in your current approach to patient-provider communication and team communication around molecular testing

Program Information:
Molecular testing is a foundational element of personalized medicine. Understanding and overcoming challenges in implementing best practice guidelines for molecular testing can support better diagnosis and guide treatment decisions. "Incorporating Molecular Testing to Support Personalized Cancer Care" is a three-part educational program that focuses on the adoption of best practice guidelines and incorporates evidence from an MD Anderson Cancer NetworkTM Performance Improvement and Quality Improvement (PI/QI) program (a program of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center). Piloted at two Cancer Network sites, this PI/QI program aimed to optimize the use of molecular testing in thyroid and lung cancers.

Activities in this program include:

• The Power of Precision: Molecular Testing for Personalized Cancer Care
• Breaking Down Molecular Testing for Patients: Communication Essentials
• Molecular Testing in Practice: Introducing Performance and Quality Improvement

A toolkit of references and resources that reinforce and expand upon the education, including updated guidelines, patient communication strategies, and foundational education about PI and QI, is provided.