Overview
United States has experienced an increase in prevalence and incidence of cancer among its citizens over the last few decades. According to American Cancer Society (2014), cancer refers to a group of diseases that present with uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. Cancer emerges due to several factors which include; smoking of tobacco, exposure to chemicals and radiation, hormones, and inherited mutations (American Cancer Society, 2014). Even though there are many causes of cancer, the disease can be prevented. For instance, avoiding smoking and minimizing exposure to chemicals and radiation by observing safety precautions can greatly help reduce chances of contracting cancer. Everybody is at risk of developing cancer. However, advancement in age leads to increase in the risk of being diagnosed with cancer. Therefore, the prevalence and incidence of cancer are highest among the elderly populations. As a matter of fact, American Cancer Society (2014) reports that 77% of people diagnosed of cancer are 55 years old and above.
According to American Cancer Society (2014), there will be an estimated diagnosis of 1,665,540 new cancer cases in 2014. However, the estimate does not include non-invasive cancer of any site apart from skin cancers of squamous or basal cells cancer of the urinary bladder and (American Cancer Society, 2014). Patients with cancer may show symptoms such as pain, nausea, tiredness, and shortness of breath. The symptoms may further deteriorate the patients ‘conditions if not managed properly. Therefore, proper management of cancer is essential for good patient outcome.
One of the newest technologies in the treatment of cancer is the use of CyberKnife system. UPMC is one of the first health facilities in the United States to use CyberKnife system to treat cancer (UPMC, 2014). CyberKnife treats prostate, lung, and brain cancer. After conducting a learning needs assessment at the facility, we found that students on attachment at the facility should be trained on the use of the technology. The learners who will take part in this training are mainly those on attachment in the following fields: neurology, oncology, surgery, physiology, radiation therapy, nursing, and neurosurgery. The training would improve efficiency and patient outcome. Besides, it will help reduce chances of occurrence of errors in the treatment of cancer. Consequently, this lesson plan aims at equipping the personnel with skills and attitude for using the technology effectively. Treatment of cancer using CyberKnife technology requires a team approach.
Goal
There will be improved efficiency in diagnosis and management of cancer at UPMC that will result into desirable patient outcome.
Objectives
This lesson plan aims at achieving the following outcome:
- All the learners will develop skill for planning for cancer treatment effectively
- All the team members will be able to operate the equipment effectively for treatment of prostate cancer
- All learners will develop skills to use CyberKnife for treating brain cancer
- All learners will develop skills to use CyberKnife system to treat lung cancer.
- All learners will gain knowledge to explain the technology behind the operation of the equipment
- All learners will be able to coordinate and conduct effective team work
- All learners will be able to manage the conditions of the cancer patients throughout the treatment process
- The learners will develop skills to identify and manage the side effects
Materials
The materials for this lesson include the following:
- CyberKnife system
- Charts
- PowerPoint presentation
- Video clips
- Short notes
- Questionnaires
The materials will be used for various purposes and in various stages of the delivery process. CyberKnife system will be used for purposes of demonstration and explanations. The materials will aid in different aspects of the lesson.
Instructional methods
The instructor will use different instructional methods for this teaching task. A combination of Lecture, demonstrations, simulations, and discussion will be used. The lesson will be divided into various sessions in which different instructional methods will be employed. Each instructional method has advantages and disadvantages. Consequently, using a combination of different methods is important for effective delivery of lesson content. In addition, using a combination of various methods caters for all the learners since learners have different characteristics and expectations. Using one instructional method can be suitable for only some learners. However, if a combination of various methods is used, all the learners are likely to gain since learners have different preferences of teaching methods.
Instructional design model to be used in the lesson
The instructional design model that the instructor will use for this teaching session is Robert Gagné's Nine Steps of Instruction. This model is suitable for the teaching task since it is a systematic way of transferring knowledge to learners. In addition, the model caters for effective induction of positive attitude into learners on the subject being studied. Some concepts of other instructional design models will be used during the lesson for concept delivery.
The training will cover all the steps and concepts for the treatment of brain cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer through the application of CyberKnife system. The training seeks to achieve all the learning domains: cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domain. Consequently, different instructional methods will be employed. The training will take one hour and thirty minutes. The time frame is appropriate since the instructor will use different methods. The use of different methods for delivery of the lesson content eliminates boredom.
Activities
Step 1
Identification of learner characteristics and instructional design model
The instructor will assess the characteristics of learners by administering questionnaires. The questionnaires to be used in this case will contain items that will test the learner’s preferred method of teaching. Through the result of the analysis of the questionnaires, the instructor will identify the characteristics of the learners. Some of the characteristics of learners are the following: readiness to learn, motivation to learn, self-concept, orientation to learn, and experience. Self-concept learners are independent and prefer to direct themselves. On the other hand, learners who have a job that requires the application of a given knowledge are said to be experienced. Since most of the learners for whom the lesson is intended are adults, they are likely to exhibit the above-mentioned characteristics.
Step 2
The instructor will assess the level of knowledge of learners in relation to various methods used in treating cancer and challenges involved in each method. In this case, the instructor will give out questionnaires to the learners. The instructor will also list vocabularies that will be used during the lesson.
Step 3
The instructor will lecture learners on the concept applied in the operation of CyberKnife system. The instructor will also use a PowerPoint presentation to clarify the operation of the equipment.
Step 4
The instructor will demonstrate how CyberKnife system is operated for treating brain cancer with the help of other medical personnel. In this case, a neurosurgeon, radiation oncologist, medical physicist, radiation therapist, and one medical support staff will take part. The team demonstrating will answer questions from the learners. All learners will position themselves at locations where they will be able to see each step during the demonstration session.
Step 5
In a team comprised of a radiation oncologist, medical physicist, urologist, radiation therapist, and medical support staff, the instructor will demonstrate to the learners how CyberKnife system is used to treat prostate cancer. All the learners will see all the steps involved. The team will answer questions from learners in the course of the demonstration
Step 6
In a team comprised of a surgeon, a radiation oncologist, an interventional radiologist, medical physicist, a radiation therapist, and medical support personnel, the instructor will demonstrate to the learners how CyberKnife system is used for treating lung cancer.
Step 7
The instructor will sort the learners into groups. Each group will contain different learners from different departments and of different areas of specialization depending on the learners will perform. For instance, during the session for practicing the treatment of brain cancer, each group will contain one trainee from neurosurgery department, one trainee from the radiation oncology department, one medical physiology trainee, one radiation therapy trainee, and one support staff trainee.
Step 8
The learners will simulate all the steps needed in using CyberKnife in treating lung, brain, and prostate cancer in the groups formed. Meanwhile, the instructor will observe learners to assess whether the concepts are being applied correctly.
Step 9
Learners will conduct the actual treatment of cancer in groups using the technology under the supervision of the instructor and the team that will help the instructor in teaching the learners. The team is mentioned in the previous steps.
Step 10
Learners will ask questions. The instructor will then collect the questions and organize learners into groups different from the groups used in the previous steps. The instructor will then ask learners to discuss the questions amongst themselves in the groups formed. The groups will inform the instructor of the answers arrived at after the discussion.
Step 11
The instructor will answer any unresolved question. All learners will be asked to write down new things learnt during the teaching session. The basis on the new things learnt will be used in the assessment.
Evaluation
Evaluation of the effectiveness of the teaching session will be conducted in terms of how much knowledge will be gained by each learner, how much each learner is motivated to learn and use CyberKnife system, and the level of skills gained by each learner. The instructor will carry out an assessment by observing how each learner participates in group work, asking questions, and observing how actively each learner participates in the lesson.
The instructor will carry out an assessment to determine the level of success of the lesson. In this case, the instructor will administer a questionnaire in order to assess how much motivated learners are in using the equipment. Items in the questionnaire will test the level of excitement among the learners in using the equipment. As a means for testing the level of knowledge that learners will gain from the lesson, the instructor will give a test to the learners. In this case, the instructor will give two types of tests. The first test will comprise of an essay with blank spaces that learners will be required to fill using appropriate words. The other test will involve questions that require detailed answers. Learners will also be asked questions testing on the practical aspect of the lesson. In this case, the instructor will ask learners to perform certain tasks pertaining to the operation of the equipment and make observations. In this case, the instructor will observe whether learners follow the procedure appropriately.
References
American Cancer Society. (2014). Cancer Facts and Figures2014. New York: American Cancer Society.
UPMC. (2014). UPMC One of First in Country to Treat Cancer Patients with New CyberKnife® System. UPMC LIFE CHANGING MEDICINE Retrieved from http://www.upmc.com/media/NewsReleases/2014/Pages/upmc-cancercenter-new-cyberknife-system.aspx
