Disseminating the cancer screening process through development, implementation, and evaluation of an e-learning program

The greatest reductions in mortality from breast, cervical, and colon cancers are achieved through prevention and screening. Regular screening facilitates early detection of these cancers--the stage at which they are most treatable and survival most likely. Among underinsured, uninsured, and minority populations, screening rates are well below national goals, propagating disparities in care which contribute to higher mortality rates from cancer within these populations. CancerSPACE (Simulating Practice and Collaborative Education) is an e-learning tool designed to assist community health center staff implement a planned approach to cancer screening among those most vulnerable. Research indicates that web-based training is most effective when users are allowed to problem solve, simulate real-life situations, and practice learning. CancerSPACE is interactive, engages the learner in problem-solving within a simulated clinic environment, and facilitates the integration of evidence-based decision making into cancer control practices. CancerSPACE takes public health beyond the borders that divide underserved populations from affluent populations with access to better health care. This model specifically employs an open design thereby allowing national and international organizations to tailor content to meet specific needs, which has real world relevancy to clinical care and a clear relationship to evidence-based research. A pilot product will be released in Spring 2008, with a final product and subsequent evaluation to follow.