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.