Abstract
Purpose: To increase awareness of HPV oropharyngeal cancer among health care and dental providers through the development of an online educational module.|Background: HPV oropharyngeal cancer is a rapidly expanding subset of cancers predicted to surpass cervical cancer rates by 2020. There is a lack of knowledge among healthcare and dental providers regarding HPV oropharyngeal cancer as well as the HPV vaccine. Increasing knowledge amongst providers is crucial to early diagnosis of those at risk as well as to decrease rates of HPV oropharyngeal cancer.|Methods: An educational program was developed through Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) for healthcare and dental providers. The course included six modules, a pre-knowledge test, embedded quizzes and a final course evaluation. Course content included HPV pathophysiology, HPV vaccine recommendations, risk factors, signs and symptoms and an HPV oropharyngeal survivor story.|Results: Forty-five healthcare and dental providers and students participated in the course. The pre-knowledge assessment yielded an average score of 53%, indicating a need for increased knowledge of HPV oropharyngeal cancer. Post course evaluation surveys were positive. 93% of participants agreed the information is applicable to practice, 76% will make changes to practice based on course content and 91% will recommend the course to colleagues.|Conclusion: There is a need for increased knowledge of HPV oropharyngeal cancer among healthcare and dental providers. Interactive online education containing multiple learning methods can lead to increased knowledge and has been proven an effective source of education.