The Perspective of the Oncology Health Care Professionals on Educational Conferences

BACKGROUND: Continuous education is vital to update the knowledge of the health care professionals (HCPs) engaged in cancer management. We aim to explore the perspective of the oncology HCPs on oncology conferences.

METHODS: A questionnaire was handed to the delegates and faculty of an oncology educational scientific conference in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The questionnaire explored the perspective on the ideal number, duration and the educational value of such conferences.

RESULTS: Medical oncologists represented 70.5% of the 78 responders. All responders attended oncology conferences in the preceding year with 24.4% have attended >9 conferences. The educational value of these conferences was rated 7.98/10. Two thirds are satisfied with the frequency of conducted event or desire more. Short (half to one day) meetings are preferred by 66.67% and the mean number of optimum educational events is 5.7 per year. Educational events were highly valued (score ≥ 8/10) as venues to meet colleagues.

CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that the current frequency and scientific value of oncology conferences and educational events are satisfactory to the majority of the relevant HCPs in the KSA. More CME events of up to one day in duration seem to be desired.