Uncategorised

Pancreatic Cancer Action launches new e-learning platform for hospital doctors

We are delighted to announce the extension of our GP learning module into a version tailored for hospital doctors. Created in collaboration with BMJ OnExamination, the online revision and assessment platform from BMJ (British Medical Journal), to deliver pancreatic cancer training online; one module is written specifically for hospital doctors and one for GPs.

The free e-learning modules were developed as part of our medical educational work, which is aimed at improving the level of awareness of pancreatic cancer among medical professionals.  Ultimately, we want to improve early detection of pancreatic cancer in the United Kingdom.

The interactive one-hour course includes clinically rich multiple choice quizzes, video interviews with patient and specialists, and has the following learning outcomes:

  • The risk factors and epidemiology of pancreatic cancer
  • How patients with pancreatic cancer present, particularly in the secondary care setting
  • Which investigations doctors should consider when they suspect pancreatic cancer

Over 400 people have already accessed to the course since it went live in November 2016.

“It’s vital that doctors, as well as the public, are confident about recognising the signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer so that more people can be diagnosed early, in time for surgery, which is currently the only cure.

Pancreatic cancer is the fifth biggest cancer killer in the UK and has the lowest survival rate of all common cancers at just 5%, a figure which has barely changed in almost 50 years. Across the UK nearly 10,000 people a year will be diagnosed with the disease and with the survival rate so shockingly low almost 9,000 of those diagnosed will die.

Helen Davies, Head of Online Learning and Assessment at the BMJ, says: “We are delighted to have been able to work in partnership with Pancreatic Cancer Action on this project and we are confident the e-learning modules will be a great support to their mission to save lives by improving early diagnosis.”

For our hospital doctor e-learning module please visit the BMJ website:

For our GP e-learning module please visit the RCGP website.

To find out about other resources we offer medical professionals please follow this link.