(P 195) IMPACT OF EXPERT-LED EDUCATION PROGRAMS ON HEALTH CARE PROVIDER (HCP) KNOWLEDGE OF GASTROINTESTINAL STROMAL TUMOR (GIST)

Objective: GIST is a rare disease often treated in community oncology centers. The expanding GIST therapeutic landscape presents significant challenges for community-based HCPs to remain current with best practices, frequently relying on expert perspectives to guide treatment. Unmet educational needs exist in areas such as GIST biology, clinical guidelines, and emerging treatments. Committed to advancing GIST education, Deciphera supports evidence-based educational initiatives for HCPs to ultimately improve patient (pt) care. Here, we describe survey results collected after expert-led GIST education programs for the broader HCP community.

Methods: Nine expert-led programs were held in person/virtually in 2024. Attendees later provided pre- and post-program ratings on background GIST knowledge, understanding of drivers of resistance and progression, the importance of life-long tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy (per NCCN guidelines), and the importance of proactive pt management/setting treatment goals. Five-point responses ranged from “poor” to “excellent” or “not important” to “critically important.”

Results: Overall, 36 surveys from HCPs of various specialties were analyzed. After attendance, very good/excellent ratings were increased for background GIST knowledge (28% pre-program vs 72% post-program) and understanding of drivers of resistance and progression (22% vs 61%). Similarly, more HCPs provided very/critically important ratings for the importance of life-long TKI therapy in advanced GIST (39% pre-program vs 83% post-program) and the importance of proactive pt management/setting treatment goals (42% vs 92%). Similar improvements were observed after other independent programs, including a GIST education program where oncologists and gastroenterologists reported increased knowledge and confidence in treatment selection (Worst MA et al. J Clin Oncol. 2020; abs 837).

Conclusion: Expert-led GIST education programs had positive impacts on HCP self-rated knowledge and confidence in managing this complex sarcoma. The evolving landscape of GIST management necessitates ongoing HCP education to advance knowledge of the disease state and treatment paradigms. Recognizing the vital role of industry partnerships in supporting these efforts, Deciphera is committed to enhancing GIST education in the broader oncology setting.