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:

Comprehensive Understanding of Cancer Survivorship Care

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

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

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

Medical Expert

Understand and describe the five components of cancer survivorship care
Understand survivorship care and navigate preventative measures, surveillance assessments and cancer survivorship guidelines
Acquire insights into the challenges faced by cancer survivors and effectively address both the physical and psychosocial aspects of cancer and cancer survivorship
Recognize and effectively manage potential long-term side effects of cancer treatments
Describe a clear approach to survivorship care following cancer diagnosis
Increase knowledge about prevention and surveillance of recurrence in breast cancer, colorectal cancer, gynecological cancers, lung cancer, and prostate cancer
Gain confidence in the ability to work effectively with cancer survivors
Become familiar with different resources provided for cancer survivors and caregivers and the various services offered to them
Learn about the needs of cancer survivors and caregivers and how to connect them with relevant resources

Communicator

Understand cancer survivorship from the patient’s perspective and communicate this understanding to patients effectively
Recognize the diverse needs and preferences of cancer survivors and caregivers to effectively develop a shared care plan whenever possible
Reflect on the experiences of survivors and caregivers to foster an understanding of their viewpoints and implement that in the care plan
Engage patients and their families in patient-centred challenging conversations, i.e., malignant diagnoses
Learn to engage with patients as part of the patient-as-teacher approach to get insights into cancer survivors' illness experience
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

Health Advocate

Promote the well-being of cancer survivors, communities, and populations by advocating for their needs and concerns
Identify and help manage the medical and psychosocial needs of patients receiving cancer diagnoses
Achieve an understanding of community resources available to cancer survivors and caregivers
Understand the need to advocate for cancer survivors and caregivers
Encourage and participate in discussions on cancer screening and surveillance with both patients and family medicine colleagues
Recognize and respond to the priority health needs of the patient within their communities’ practice resources

Scholar

Engage in asynchronous learning through online modules and utilize the resources provided in the curriculum to stay updated on evolving cancer survivorship guidelines
Share knowledge and expertise in cancer survivorship care with colleagues, residents, and other healthcare professionals, fostering a collaborative and learning-oriented environment
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
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

Professional

Uphold the highest standards of professionalism, including integrity, honesty, and transparency, in all interactions with cancer survivor patients and colleagues
Maintain patient privacy and confidentiality throughout and after the patient-led session and discussions
Take accountability for the quality and outcomes of cancer survivorship care, continuously seeking opportunities for self-improvement and learning
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

Collaborator

Understand the necessity of effective collaboration with inter-professional cancer diagnosis and treatment teams
Recognize the importance of involving cancer survivors and caregivers in the development and adjustment of care plans
Learn to facilitate a seamless transition of care in cancer survivorship, coordinating with various healthcare providers and community resources

Leader

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