Primary care online training on multifactorial breast cancer risk: pre-post evaluation study

Background It is estimated that>250,000 women in the United Kingdom (UK) are at increased risk of breast cancer, but only a small fraction are identified. Digital tools, such as CanRisk, enable multifactorial breast cancer risk assessment. Implementation of such tools within primary care would allow primary care professionals (PCPs) to reassure women at population-level risk and identify those at increased risk who will benefit most from targeted prevention or early detection. Previous studies suggest that PCPs will require educational resources to support the delivery of multifactorial breast cancer risk assessments.

Aim To develop and evaluate a new ‘Multifactorial breast cancer risk assessment in primary care' online training for UK PCPs.

Design & setting 35 PCPs from across the UK participated in the evaluation and data collection was completed online between May and July 2024.

Method Evidence-based training development and mixed-methods pre-post evaluation study. Statistical analysis for the evaluation focused on the primary outcome of objective knowledge and mean changes were analysed with a paired sample t-test. Qualitative feedback was analysed using content analysis.

Results Objective knowledge showed a significant mean increase (P=0.011,95% CI). Subjective knowledge and confidence scores also showed significant mean increases (P<0.001, 95% CI). Results on satisfaction, engagement, and relevance of the training were positive.

Conclusion The ‘Multifactorial breast cancer risk assessment in primary care' online training significantly increases PCPs’ knowledge and confidence to conducting multifactorial breast cancer risk assessments, and it was well received by PCPs.