Binaytara Foundation launches OncoBlast
A serious game to educate healthcare providers about the latest developments in the field of oncology.
Game-based CME
Learn the latest in cancer care, anywhere
Make learning feel less like a chore, and more like a rewarding challenge - while earning CME credits / MOC points for free!
For busy professionals in oncology, continuous learning can be an extremely difficult task. The demands of their workloads – ranging from the complexity of the diseases they treat to the high-pressure, high-stakes environments they work in – leave very little time for study.
And yet, they must earn CME/MOC credits to maintain their certification and stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in cancer care.
“I struggled with my CME credits for years,” says Angela Mendez, a 33-year-old radiation therapist from Albany, NY, a wife, and a mother of two. “At the end of my workday, I would go home, tired and exhausted, to a family who also needed my attention. Taking extra courses to qualify for credits and scrambling to stay current almost tipped me over the edge.”
Angela is not alone. Thousands of oncology professionals struggle with continuing education for CME/MOC credits for various reasons: lack of time, limited courses that are directly relevant to their specific subfield, financial costs of paid syllabi and mental burnout, to name just a few.
To simplify the journey by reimagining the whole credit-earning experience, Binaytara Foundation has recently launched a unique, mobile-based solution that addresses all these barriers in one neatly packaged app: OncoBlast.
OncoBlast is the world’s first oncology gaming app, poised to transform how cancer care professionals engage with continuing education by making learning more interactive and accessible in a field that demands constant knowledge updates.
How It Works:
• Upon completing each course, users earn ABIM MOC points, AMA PRA Category 1 credit, and CME credits.
• Users can leverage OncoBlast to speed up their fellowship board prep by studying the kinds of questions and topics that are tested in the board certification exam with the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM).
• The learn-as-you-play app offers courses that are regularly updated to reflect the latest research and guidelines, and reviewed by leading oncologists.
• New courses and questions are added weekly, and users can ace as many courses as they like.
• They can track their progress, and challenge themselves in various game modes: such as `geek’ mode and `fun’ mode.
• A global leaderboard shows how their medical knowledge compares to other cancer care providers worldwide, adding a healthy competitive spirit — a key motivator in any gaming app.
• Best of all? It’s 100% free!
Why It Works:
• On-Demand Learning: Oncology professionals put in long hours at work and are usually strapped for time. A mobile-based, gamified app provides the flexibility to learn anytime, anywhere – empowering users to enhance their knowledge on-the-go, whether at work, during downtime, or at home.
• Engagement and Motivation: Gamification taps into the natural human desire for achievement, progress, and competition, and an app like OncoBlast provides incentives and rewards for continued participation. This makes learning more enjoyable and engaging, which can increase motivation to stay updated on the latest oncology treatments and research.
• Interactive Learning: Active learning through games is often more effective than passive learning (like reading or watching videos) because it requires users to engage with the material actively. In oncology, where complex information is constantly evolving, a gamified app allows professionals to learn by doing – solving problems, answering questions, and making decisions – rather than just absorbing content. This can lead to better retention and a deeper understanding of the material.
• Immediate Feedback: Gamified apps often provide instant feedback, helping users identify gaps in their knowledge. For oncology professionals, immediate corrections or explanations can help them understand difficult concepts right away, leading to faster learning and a better grasp of complex medical information. This timely feedback loop also reinforces learning and boosts confidence in clinical decision-making.
• Collaboration And Community: Gamified learning apps can also foster a sense of community among oncology professionals. They can collaborate, share insights, or discuss challenging questions in the context of the game. This collaborative environment can enhance peer-to-peer learning and create a supportive network, which is especially valuable in the emotionally demanding field of cancer care.
“OncoBlast’s gamification of free CME/MOC learning is teaching me to take risks, fail, and try again, which is helping me build a growth mindset,” says Josh Pinkton, a board-certified oncology pharmacist who has been using the app since its beta testing days earlier this year. “The app reinforces the idea that progress comes with effort.”
Many beta testers have attested to a deeper learning experience as well.
“The interactive nature of the app makes it feel more like I’m practicing rather than just reading,” says oncology RN Rebecca Ludlum. “I find myself remembering the details better, and feel more confident applying what I’ve learned to patient care. It’s like the knowledge just sticks!”
Matt Lambert, Senior Marketing and Communications Manager at Binaytara Foundation, calls it the testing effect. “It’s a well-documented cognitive phenomenon where actively recalling information through quizzes or challenges helps strengthen memory retention. By engaging with content in a game-like environment, users like Rebecca are actively retrieving and applying knowledge, which has been shown to improve long-term retention compared to passive learning methods.”
How It Started
The idea for OncoBlast was born during a seemingly ordinary moment on a long-haul flight. Dr. Binay Shah, co-founder of the Binaytara Foundation, watched as a fellow passenger became completely absorbed in a popular mobile game. Inspired by the immersive experience, Dr. Shah wondered, “What if we could bring the same level of engagement to cancer education?”
And so, Oncoblast was born. An app that is replacing tedious course studies and online lectures with on-demand learning that’s competitive, fast-paced, and fun.
Testimonials: Why Experts Are Loving OncoBlast
Dr. Shipra Gandhi
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
“OncoBlast is a visual way of gaining knowledge and makes learning fun! It really helps physicians stay up to date with the evolving literature”
Dr. Mridula Krishnan
Oncologist
“I can’t thank the creators of this app enough for developing such a valuable learning tool. It’s a source of inspiration that motivates me to strive for excellence in my practice”
Dr. Ulka Vaisampayan
University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center
“As a busy physician, staying updated with the latest medical knowledge is crucial. This OncoBlast Quiz App challenges my understanding”
Ready to get your OncoBlast Game On?
Download OncoBlast today and start earning free credits while leveling up your oncology knowledge.
And don’t forget to share with your peers and colleagues!
