The @YourSide Colleague® Cancer Care course, a joint initiative between Saint Elizabeth Health Care and the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, is making a difference in First Nations communities across the country since its launch at the end of January 2009.

In evaluations of the course from January 2009 to March 2010, participants said the course had a positive impact on their work, helped them better assess and care for patients, and strengthened their cancer control knowledge.

The course was created with and for health care providers working in First Nations communities across Canada to provide them with much needed professional development opportunities. It includes important information about cancer risk factors, screening, prevention and diagnosis, as well as cancer care resources and learning materials, focused on cancer control in First Nations communities.

Responses to the course evaluation indicate a significant amount of interest and use of the course materials since the January 2009 launch. Results to March 31st 2010 are as follows:

• More than 600 learning sessions held
• More than 2000 visits to the knowledge sharing platform (communities of learning and discussion forums)
• More than 300 learning assessments completed (knowledge tests and quizzes)
• More than 400 hours of total learning time spent in the course

Please see the links below for more information about Saint Elizabeth Health Care’s work in partnership with First Nations Communities.

http://www.saintelizabeth.com/page/partners-aboriginal-health
http://www.atyourside.ca/fni/fni_index.html