An Analysis and Demonstration of eLearning Multimedia Best Practices

As contemporary education moves more and more online, multimedia has become an important aspect of the delivery of educational resources whether augmenting in-person, blended or distance courses. The multimedia eLearning module plays a targeted role within the broad spectrum of multimedia. This portfolio demonstrates best practices for eLearning module design and development. Intended as a resource for designers and developers, in particular those practicing in higher education, the portfolio reviews best practices from a theoretical and practical basis. Through eLearning Design Theory, which combines best practices with pedagogical support, the portfolio reviews four eLearning modules as well as an instructional design document. Emphasized is the use of the Principles of Multimedia Learning as the guiding foundation for the design and development of modules. The objective of this portfolio is to provide examples of multimedia modules that have been effectively implemented, review the design process necessary to create those modules and in so doing, provide a meaningful resource for educators who are incorporating multimedia eLearning modules into their course materials

Identifying health-related quality of life cut-off scores that indicate the need for supportive care in young adults with cancer

Purpose: Using patient-reported outcomes in routine cancer care may improve health outcomes. However, a lack of information about which scores are problematic in specific populations can impede use. To facilitate interpretation of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), we identified cut-off scores that indicate need for support by comparing each scale to relevant items from the Supportive Care Needs Survey (SCNS-LF59) in a young adult (YA) population. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey amongst YAs with cancer ages 25–39 at diagnosis. Participants completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 and SCNS-LF59. Patient, clinician and research experts matched supportive care needs from the SCNS-LF59 to quality of life domains of the EORTC QLQ-C30. We evaluated the EORTC QLQ-C30 domain score’s ability to detect patients with need using receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis, calculating the area under the ROC curve and sensitivity and specificity for selected cut-offs. Cut-offs were chosen by maximising Youden’s J statistic and ensuring sensitivity passed 0.70. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to examine the variability of the cut-off scores by treatment status. Results: Three hundred and forty-seven YAs took part in the survey. Six experts matched SCNS-LF59 items to ten EORTC QLQ-C30 domains. The AUC ranged from 0.78 to 0.87. Cut-offs selected ranged from 8 (Nausea and Vomiting and Pain) to 97 (Physical Functioning). All had adequate sensitivity (above 0.70) except the Financial Difficulties scale (0.64). Specificity ranged from 0.61 to 0.88. Four of the cut-off scores differed by treatment status. Conclusion: Cut-offs with adequate sensitivity were calculated for nine EORTC QLQ-C30 scales for use with YAs with cancer. Cut-offs are key to interpretability and use of the EORTC QLQ-C30 in routine care to identify patients with supportive care need