top of page
Examining X-ray

Curriculum Competencies

Program Goals & Objectives

We aim to integrate a competency-based and patient-centred Adult Cancer Survivorship Curriculum into the family medicine residency program at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and assess its impact on residents’ behaviours, attitudes, and knowledge of cancer survivorship. The curriculum objectives are as follows:

Image by National Cancer Institute

Comprehensive Understanding of Cancer Survivorship Care

To describe the multifaceted aspects of survivorship and recognize its medical and psychosocial dimensions

Image by Angiola Harry

Identification and Management of Cancer-related Long-term Side Effects

To recognize and address the long-term psychological and physical side effects associated with cancer survivorship and cancer treatment

Patient Waiting

Enhancing Patient Experience

To equip residents with the necessary skills for enhancing the overall patient experience, including applying effective communication strategies and personalized care planning

Competencies

getty-images-T9-Rwo-g8vs-unsplash.jpg

Medical Expert

  1. Understand and describe the five components of cancer survivorship care 

  2. Understand survivorship care and navigate preventative measures, surveillance assessments and cancer survivorship guidelines

  3. Acquire insights into the challenges faced by cancer survivors and effectively address both the physical and psychosocial aspects of cancer and cancer survivorship

  4. Recognize and effectively manage potential long-term side effects of cancer treatments

  5. Describe a clear approach to survivorship care following cancer diagnosis

  6. Increase knowledge about prevention and surveillance of recurrence in breast cancer, colorectal cancer, gynecological cancers, lung cancer, and prostate cancer

  7. Gain confidence in the ability to work effectively with cancer survivors

  8. Become familiar with different resources provided for cancer survivors and caregivers and the various services offered to them

  9. Learn about the needs of cancer survivors and caregivers and how to connect them with relevant resources

getty-images-f3fTp4OlkDQ-unsplash.jpg

Communicator

  1. Understand cancer survivorship from the patient’s perspective and communicate this understanding to patients effectively 

  2. Recognize the diverse needs and preferences of cancer survivors and caregivers to effectively develop a shared care plan whenever possible 

  3. Reflect on the experiences of survivors and caregivers to foster an understanding of their viewpoints and implement that in the care plan

  4. Engage patients and their families in patient-centred challenging conversations, i.e., malignant diagnoses

  5. Learn to engage with patients as part of the patient-as-teacher approach to get insights into cancer survivors' illness experience

  6. Elicit patient concerns and anxieties relating to clinical cancer presentations and treatment side effects and respond to these needs as a part of ongoing patient care

jony-ariadi-QZub8Ni3x_c-unsplash.jpg

Health Advocate

  1. Promote the well-being of cancer survivors, communities, and populations by advocating for their needs and concerns

  2. Identify and help manage the medical and psychosocial needs of patients receiving cancer diagnoses

  3. Achieve an understanding of community resources available to cancer survivors and caregivers

  4. Understand the need to advocate for cancer survivors and caregivers

  5. Encourage and participate in discussions on cancer screening and surveillance with both patients and family medicine colleagues

  6. Recognize and respond to the priority health needs of the patient within their communities’ practice resources

ahmed-iB3DoolTSPA-unsplash.jpg

Scholar

  1. Engage in asynchronous learning through online modules and utilize the resources provided in the curriculum to stay updated on evolving cancer survivorship guidelines

  2. Share knowledge and expertise in cancer survivorship care with colleagues, residents, and other healthcare professionals, fostering a collaborative and learning-oriented environment

  3. Embrace a reflective practice, continuously evaluating and adjusting strategies based on survivor and caregiver feedback and outcomes to improve the overall care experience for cancer survivor patients 

  4. Learn to integrate current guidelines and evidence into cancer survivorship care, ensuring that the most recent and relevant information shapes treatment plans and support strategies

ahmed-WPZ7eYoYhgs-unsplash.jpg

Professional

  1. Uphold the highest standards of professionalism, including integrity, honesty, and transparency, in all interactions with cancer survivor patients and colleagues

  2. Maintain patient privacy and confidentiality throughout and after the patient-led session and discussions

  3. Take accountability for the quality and outcomes of cancer survivorship care, continuously seeking opportunities for self-improvement and learning

  4. Learn the importance of providing patient-centred care, fostering open communication, shared decision-making, and a supportive environment that considers the unique needs of each cancer survivor

getty-images-SucHnYnoYcU-unsplash.jpg

Collaborator

  1. Understand the necessity of effective collaboration with inter-professional cancer diagnosis and treatment teams

  2. Recognize the importance of involving cancer survivors and caregivers in the development and adjustment of care plans

  3. Learn to facilitate a seamless transition of care in cancer survivorship, coordinating with various healthcare providers and community resources

getty-images-G_dyW7Psze4-unsplash.jpg

Leader

  1. Understand the roles of a family physician in coordinating the care of cancer survivors

  2. Recognize and address patient concerns with attention to the judicious use of healthcare resources and the effectiveness of individual investigations in the management of cancer

© 2026 Humanism in Cancer Care

uoftlogo.png
CancerSurvivorshipCurriculumLogo.png
bottom of page