As a growing number of educational institutions are offering online programs, teachers need to be competent in this new way of teaching. This is especially the case for synchronous online learning ...through videoconferencing technology, an emergent and so far understudied form of online education. Based on a systematic literature review of 30 studies, this study identifies 24 competence clusters, which can be grouped into 5 teacher roles associated with synchronous online teaching through videoconferencing: the instructional, managerial, technical, communicational, and social role. This framework can act as a starting point for future research on this understudied topic and can also provide directions to support teachers’ professionalization and practice.
•The systematic literature review shows that synchronous online teaching through videoconferencing requires specific competences.•We present a framework for clarifying teachers' roles and competences that are required for synchronous online teaching.•The research synthesis offers directions for professional development initiatives and for teachers to optimize their teaching.
Background and Objectives
The optimal treatment sequence in stage IV rectal cancer (RC) with synchronous liver metastases (SLM) remains undefined. Here, we compared outcomes between patients treated ...with the bowel‐first approach (BFA) or the liver‐first approach (LFA).
Methods
Consecutive patients diagnosed with stage IV RC with SLM and who underwent complete resection were included. Both groups were matched using propensity scores. Differences in postoperative outcome, local control, and long‐term survival were studied. In addition, a decision analysis (DA) model was built using TreeAge Pro to define the approach that results in the highest treatment completion rate.
Results
During a 12‐year period, 52 patients were identified, 21 and 31 of whom underwent the BFA and the LFA, respectively. Twenty‐eight patients were matched; patients treated with the BFA experienced a longer median OS (50.0 vs 33.0 months; P = .40) and higher 5‐year OS (42.9% vs 28.6%). The DA defined the BFA to be superior when the failure threshold (ie, no R0 resection, treatment discontinuation regardless of cause) for colectomy is less than 28.6%.
Conclusions
In stage IV rectal cancer with SLM, either the BFA or the LFA result in similar long‐term outcomes. Treatment should be tailored according to clinicopathological variables.
