Cancer Information Services : a pre-/post-evaluation of training to promote nationwide consistency of information

The object of this study was to evaluate whether an integrated training package improved the consistency and accuracy of advice about breast cancer to callers of Cancer Information Services (CIS) in Australia. The study followed a pre-/post-evaluation design and the participants were all CIS officers from the state- based CIS. A computerized database was used which contained the current best advice about breast cancer combined with a 1-day interactive training workshop for all officers of participating CIS. The proportion of responses that accorded with predetermined model answers for each of five scenarios employed by simulated callers during normal working hours at pre-and post-evaluation were then calculated. There were 95 simulated calls during pre-evaluation, and 104 calls post-evaluation. In some cases, such as breast reconstruction, accordance with model answers was high at both pre- and post-test. The proportion of responses on an item that related to a description of lymphoedaema differed from pre-to post-test with P = 0.007; while an item on the appropriateness of discussing genetic testing with general practitioners differed from pre-to post-test with P = 0.003. There was less concordance, both pre- and post- test, for issues related to surgery, hospitalization, familial aspects and Tamoxifen. We concluded that the intervention presents a method of disseminating consistent information across a number of independent CIS. Some areas were identified that require more targeted intervention.