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The field of radiation oncology is rapidly advancing through technological and biomedical innovation backed by robust research evidence. However, cancer professionals are notoriously time-poor, meaning the need for high quality, accessible and tailored oncological education programs has never been greater. While traditional teaching methods including lectures and other in-person delivery formats remain important, e-learning has provided additional teaching options that can be delivered flexibly, on-demand and anywhere in the world. This convenience factor is likely to be decisive in driving uptake of this format by both learners and teachers in coming decades.

While early forays into online education have generally been met with scepticism by the learning community, this is largely due to rudimentary utilisation of the medium. With increasing familiarity and understanding of the capabilities of the medium then increasingly sophisticated and tailored learning solutions are being introduced.

This talk will focus on the application and use of some of the more advanced learning tools that are now at our disposal and how appropriate use of these will result in higher-quality, higher-yield learning experiences. This includes tailored, made-for-screen videos and fully-customisable multimedia learning.

We will then move into a discussion of virtual reality learning environments, including both first-generation and second-generation solutions. We will explore the data behind, and application of, fully immersive teaching environments and will showcase our own second-generation virtual reality radiation oncology learning tools.

Overall, the digital space is well-placed to cater to evolving educational needs of oncology learners. Uptake over the next decade is likely to be driven by flexible on demand delivery, high-yield products, engaging delivery methods (such as VR) and team productions. Educational programs that embrace these principles will have unique opportunities to thrive in this space.