Abstract
: The increasing use of germline genetic testing for the clinical management of patients with a family history of breast and ovarian cancer requires an improvement in the genetic and risk literacy of physicians and healthcare professionals. In order to offer high-quality care throughout Germany, from genetic counseling to risk-adapted prevention, the German Consortium for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (GC-HBOC) and the German Cancer Society (DKG) have established a nation-wide cooperation partner network with Certified Gynecological and Breast Cancer Cen-ters. As a core element of this cooperation, an online-based training programme has been developed in which the "state of the art knowledge" on the topic is conveyed. Methods: The training is aimed at physicians and health care professionals working in the specialized centers of the GC-HBOC/ Certified Centers for Familial Breast and Ovarian Cancer (FBREK centres) or the cooperating Certified Gynecological and Breast Cancer Centers. It consists of an online-based part (15 lectures) covering interdisciplinary basics and competencies on political frameworks, genet-ic and non-genetic risk factors including individual risk calculation and non-directive communication on risk-adapted prevention options. Patient involvement with voting rights during the develop-ment and implementation of the training increased its accuracy of fit for patient needs. After a suc-cessful online knowledge test, employees of Certified Gynecological and Breast Cancer Centers participate in a one day, on-site internship at a FBREK-certified GC-HBOC center with which a coop-eration is planned. Results: From November 2021 to July 2024, 1.860 participants registered for the online training, of which 1.329 have started to work on the content. So far, 898 participants have passed the online knowledge test. More than 560 partici-pants took part in the accompanying evaluation in which the majority stated that the course helped to increase their professional knowledge, it was relevant to their practical medical work and that it contributed to a more confident approach to patients with a family history of cancer. Most partici-pants stated that it was worthwhile participating in the training in terms of time and organization, and that the content, didactics, visual presentations and comprehensibility were appropriate. Conclusion: The online-based training serves to impart and expand interdisciplinary knowledge and skills in genetics and risk counseling. It is well-received, has been positively evaluated and the for-mat proves to be suitable for strengthening the networked care of patients across sectoral bounda-ries and promoting the rapid translation of new research findings into clinical practice within the framework of knowledge-generating care.
