An impact evaluation of the conquer cancer foundation's international education award benefiting early-career oncologists

Program/Project Purpose: The International Development and Education Award (IDEA) is an annual mentorship program supported by the Conquer Cancer Foundation for early-career oncologists in lowand middle-income countries (LMICs). These award recipients are matched with leading members of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) who serve as scientific mentors to each recipient, receive the opportunity to attend ASCO’s Annual Meeting in Chicago, and visit their mentor’s cancer center in either the United States or Canada. Recipients of this international award also receive three years of complimentary ASCO membership, including a subscription to the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Structure/Method/Design: Over the past eleven years, the IDEA program has produced 231 alumni from over 40 LMICs. Applicants are selected based on criteria such as their personal statement, research interests, and stated future plans to implement what they learn though the IDEA program. After receiving the IDEA award, recipients complete a program evaluation one month after participating, one year after participating, and five years after participating. These surveys are designed to collect information about the following programmatic outcomes: 1.) Promote professional development of young oncologists in LMICs 2.) Disseminate knowledge learned at Annual Meeting with colleagues 3.) Create lasting mentee/mentor relationships 4.) Inform ASCO and its members about cancer care in developing countries 5.) Extend awareness of ASCO, itsmission and services to developing countries. This program is sustainedby the strength of the IDEAalumni community, asmanynew applicants are referred by previous award recipients. Outcomes & Evaluation: The IDEA alumni surveys have been conducted since 2009. The majority of one-month survey respondents report meeting program outcomes; however, less than half of respondents report meeting the same outcomes five years later. For example, 100% of 2014 recipients reported making a plan for continued communication with their mentor. But only 53% of 2009 alumni reported remaining in contact with their mentor five years later. Going Forward: One of the greatest challenges for the IDEA program is the limited long-term impact of a weeklong visit with program mentors. The majority of award recipients commented in the one-month evaluations they would appreciate more time at their mentor’s cancer. Funding: The 2014 IDEA award recipients were supported by the following sponsors: Amgen, Avon Foundation for Women, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Millennium, The Takeda Oncology Company,NationalCancer Institute,Open Society Foundations, Roche. Abstract #: 01NCD021