AHNS initiated effort: Virtual Tumor Board
In response to the current transition to remote didactic learning, and
based on the findings of a 2016 needs assessment study, the CDMS
designed a virtual tumor board session with emphasis on education. The
tumor board is run by the members of the CDMS and guest faculty from all
areas of head and neck oncology. Case presentations are clinically
oriented, and presented weekly with each week’s three cases dedicated to
a specific head and neck site. Discussions are interactive with faculty
and fellows, but evidenced-based decision making is emphasized along
with references for each management decision. The format is based on an
interactive video platform that allows for real time presentation of
imaging, pathology slides, or literature references in addition to the
live videos of the faculty discussants. The remote learning sessions
were introduced in April of 2020. At the time of this writing, four
sessions have been held. More than 50 participants have logged in during
each session. As noted above, 97% of responding fellows have
participated in at least one session and virtually all program directors
are aware of the weekly tumor board (97%). Plans are in place to
continue this format and issue a survey after five sessions. If the
response is encouraging, the virtual tumor board will continue until the
end of the current academic year. Other formats such as structured
lectures by faculty, journal club, and surgical video viewing sessions
with commentary by the faculty, and also, active participation of the
fellows are under consideration.