“It’s possible not just to survive, but to thrive and to live a healthy, wonderful life again.”
— Erika Evans, leukemia survivor
About the Curriculum
Adult Cancer Survivorship Curriculum
The Adult Cancer Survivorship Curriculum represents a pioneering and comprehensive educational initiative, meticulously tailored for family physicians. This curriculum is developed with a clear focus on enhancing the quality of care provided to adult cancer survivors, acknowledging the crucial and evolving role that family physicians play in the ongoing health and well-being of this expanding patient population. By integrating the latest research, evidence-based practices, and patient-centered approaches, the curriculum aims to equip family physicians with the skills and knowledge necessary to address the complex and multifaceted challenges of cancer survivorship. Recognizing that cancer survivorship extends beyond the physical aspects of care, the curriculum provides a holistic approach that encompasses the psychological, social, and long-term health needs of survivors.
Welcome
As survivorship care rightfully shifts to the primary care domain, family doctors are emerging as pivotal contributors. Their long-term relationships with patients, comprehensive understanding of social supports and families, and nuanced awareness of medical issues beyond cancer uniquely position them to provide optimal and holistic care for cancer survivors. Additionally, the increasing survivorship rates resulting from advancements in cancer treatment underscore the need for family doctors to have the requisite knowledge and skills for cancer survivorship care.
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The Adult Cancer Survivorship Curriculum is a pioneering initiative dedicated to addressing the specific needs of cancer survivors. The curriculum has a humanistic approach that recognizes patients as both authorities and collaborators in medical training, which deepens comprehension of patient viewpoints, fosters greater empathy, and boosts confidence in communication and clinical skills. Moreover, optional surveys, assessments, and focus group guides allow educators to assess the impact of this curriculum on behaviours, attitudes, and knowledge regarding cancer survivorship.
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This curriculum is crafted to align with the CanMEDs competencies, aiming to elevate learners’ skills as a well-rounded survivorship care provider. Additionally, we provide resources curated for both patients and physicians to navigate the survivorship phase more effectively.
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By teaching or learning from this Curriculum, you play a pivotal role in shaping the future of cancer survivorship care. We invite you to immerse yourself, engage with the materials, and actively participate in the transformative journey of cancer survivorship care.
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Regards,
Curriculum Director,
Muna Al-Khaifi, MD, MPH, CCFP
Humanism in Medicine
Sessions
1
Session 1 (Virtual):
Date: January 31, 2024
This virtual session aims to educate individuals about cancer survivorship care, focusing on cancer surveillance and managing long-term physical and psychological side effects of cancer and its treatments. The modules cover an overview of survivorship care, detailed follow-up care, and surveillance for various malignancies like colorectal, prostate, gynecologic, lung, and breast cancers. Objectives include familiarizing participants with the session content and curriculum, understanding survivorship care challenges, gaining knowledge on follow-up care for specific cancers, learning about preventative measures and managing adverse complications from cancer treatments, and understanding the assessment of cancer recurrence using screening tools.
2
Session 2 (In Person):
Date: March 14, 2024
This in-person session adopts a "patient as teacher" model, providing individuals with direct insights into cancer survivorship through a survivor-led module, followed by a faculty-guided discussion. It aims to deepen understanding of patient-centered care and the varied needs of survivors and caregivers, with a focus on applying these insights in clinical practice. Additionally, the session includes an evaluation component for personal feedback, enhancing future curriculum development. Objectives encompass understanding and reflecting on survivor experiences, gaining practical guidance, soliciting feedback for future improvements, and assessing changes in individuals attitudes towards cancer survivorship.