Cureus | Clinical Oncology Module for the ESTRO Core Curriculum

Clinical Oncology Module for the ESTRO Core Curriculum



Abstract

Objective: Clinical oncologists are physicians with the competencies to manage cancer patients through the entire disease pathway combining the competencies of radiation and medical oncologists. The 4th edition of the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology Core Curriculum for Radiation Oncology/Radiotherapy (ESTRO curriculum) has received wide support by the clinical oncology community. The aim was to develop a clinical oncology module that could be combined with the ESTRO curriculum to enable clinical oncology trainees to follow a single curriculum.

Methods: A range of stakeholders including National Society representatives, an oncologist from a low- middle income country, and a recently appointed specialist, developed and commented on iterations of the curriculum. Further modifications were made by the ESTRO Education Council.

Results: The module is based on the CanMEDS 2015 framework and identifies 20 enabling competencies in the Medical Expert role that are required in addition to the ESTRO curriculum for the training of clinical oncologists. Recommendations are made for the levels of Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) to be attained by the end of training.

Conclusion: The Clinical Oncology module, when combined with the ESTRO curriculum, covers the entire cancer pathway rather than being modality specific. It is hoped it will aid in the development of comparable standards of training in clinical oncology across Europe and may also have utility in low- and middle income countries as well as providing a single curriculum for trainees.

SIGNIFICANCE: Conjoining the functions of radiation and medical oncologists and encompassing the innovative and demonstrably effective educational concept of EPAs, the total of ESTRO's CC and CO core curriculum is tailored as a comprehensive training program to generate superbly trained Oncologists able to provide cancer care to the patient in general.

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abstract
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Clinical Oncology Module for the ESTRO Core Curriculum


Author Information

Yannick Eller Corresponding Author

Centre for Medical Education, University of Dundee, Dundee, GBR

Kim Benstead

Gloucestershire Oncology Centre, Cheltenham General Hospital, Cheltenham, GBR

Pedro C. Lara

Oncology, Fernando Pessoa Canarias University, Las Palmas, ESP

Lotte Engell-Noerregaard

Oncology, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DNK

Jesper Eriksen

Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, DNK

Papa Gaye

Radiation Oncology, Dalal Jamm University Hospital, Dakar, SEN

Jana Jaal

Department of Haematology and Oncology, University of Tartu, Tartu, EST

Antonio Juretic

Department of Oncology, University of Zagreb and University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, HRV

Marju Kase

Oncology, East Tallinn Central Hospital, Tallinn, EST

Vassilis Kouloulias

2nd Department of Radiology, Radiotherapy Unit, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece, Athens, GRC

Elvisa Kozma

Department of Radiotherapy, Oncology Service, Mother Teresa University Hospital, Tirana, ALB

Magnus Lagerlund

Oncology, Kalmar County Hospital, Kalmar, SWE

Graeme Lumsden

Department of Clinical Oncology, Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Glasgow, GBR

Icro Meattini

Radiation Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Florence, ITA

Ingvil Mjaaland

Department of Oncology and Haematology, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, NOR

Raphael Pfeffer

Assuta Medical Centers, Tel Aviv, ISR


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