Improving Oncology Worldwide: Education, Clinical Research and Global Cancer Care (Sustainable Development Goals Series)

"This open access book describes strategies and experiences of highly skilled professionals in improving oncology care worldwide. The book is structured into three main sections with several chapters each, reflecting the authors' individual, real-life experiences. It explores ways to improve oncology education and scientific training, how to set up and run a clinical research facility ethically and efficiently in low- and middle-income settings, addressing the challenges that the workforce encounters in the real world. The main challenges of today's oncologists seem to be the ever-growing patient care and administrative workload and the risk of burn-out. What are the best strategies to maintain a healthy work-life for the benefit of the patients, the physicians and society, taking into account the different needs, depending on factors like peace, social and gender equality? This book addresses oncologists all over the world and their allies throughout the associated industries to highlight the importance of shared and sustainable education, clinical research and global cancer care."--Publisher marketing Preface 7 Acknowledgments 9 About the Book 10 Contents 11 Contributors 13 Abbreviations 15 Part I: Education 16 Improving Education: A Global Perspective 17 The Challenges in Oncology Education 17 Improving Education in Oncology: Real-Life Examples 19 Conclusions 21 References 21 Blended Learning for Oncologists and Their Colleagues 22 ESMO/ASCO Recommendations for a Global Curriculum in Medical Oncology 22 Of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) and SPOCs (Small Private Online Courses) 23 A Broader Vision 24 The Ulm University Advanced Oncology Study Program 24 Summer School “Challenges and Introduction” 24 Module “Interdisciplinary Oncology” 25 Module “Clinical Research” 25 Module “Advanced Therapies and Integrated Concepts” 26 Module “Management” 26 Summer School “Future Perspectives” 27 Master’s Theses 27 COVID-19-Related Adjustments 28 Benefits for the University 28 Quality Management and Further Plans 28 References 29 Establishing a Continuing Educational Program Based on the ESMO/ASCO Recommendations for a Global Curriculum in Egypt and Other Educational Initiatives 31 Revising the Current Curriculum in Clinical Oncology 31 Challenges 32 Clinical Oncology Curriculum 32 Duration of Clinical Oncology Program 32 Limited Resources 32 Supervision of Trainees 32 Busy Hospital Environment 32 Burnout 33 Lack of Research Opportunities 33 Assessment System 33 Chances 33 Residents 33 Educators 33 The Pathway to Reform 33 Needs Assessment 33 A Separate Radiation Oncology and Medical Oncology Curriculum 33 National and International Collaboration 34 Faculty Development 34 Change the Current Assessment System 34 Establishing a Sarcoma Program in Egypt 34 Challenges that Need to be Met 35 References 36 Continuing Education for the Young Oncology Workforce in Portugal 38 Introduction 38 The Situation in Portugal 38 The Nucleus of Interns and Young Specialists (NIJE) 39 In-Person Meetings and Trainings 39 Online Initiatives 41 COVID-Related Adjustments 41 Conclusion 41 References 42 Challenges and Outcomes in Launching the First Board-Certified Program in Radiation Oncology in Iraq 43 Background 43 Challenges and Baseline Status 44 Recognition of the Obstacles 44 Baseline Status of the Radiotherapy Center 44 Overcoming the Challenges 44 Part I: Defining the Structured Training Program 44 Contract Agreement with an External Qualified Radiation Oncology Trainer 44 Accreditations 46 Definition, Mission, and Vision 46 Training and Study Syllabus 46 Admission and Academic Requirements 46 Clinical Training (Major and Minor Rotations) 46 Evaluation, Promotion, and Examination 48 Specialty Certificates 48 Part II: Adjunctive Collaborative Opportunities 48 Internal Academic Assistance 48 International Individual Assistance 48 Global Institutional Networking 48 ACR (American College of Radiology) In-Training Examination 48 Scientific Meetings and Courses 49 Online Education and Telemedicine Tools 49 Quality and Safety Culture 49 External Training Opportunities 49 Research Promotion and Collaboration 49 Local Funding and Supporting Opportunities 49 Follow-Up 50 Conclusions 50 References 51 Improving the WHO Classification of Tumours by an Evidence-Based Approach: A New Online/Blended Learning Training Program 53 The WHO Blue Books 53 Adapting the Current Procedure to Information Overload 55 Controversies Pertaining to Evidence-Based Approaches in Pathology 55 How to Adapt Evidence Synthesis to the Needs of Pathologists? 57 Plan of Action 58 The IC3R Initiative 58 Evi-Pat 61 Conclusion 61 References 62 Part II: Clinical Research 64 Improving Clinical Research 65 Introduction 65 The Different Contributions on Improving Oncology Research 66 Conclusion 66 Getting Started in Research: What Registries Can Do for You 68 What Is Research? 68 What Is a Cancer Registry? 69 Security and Privacy 70 Using Registry Data for Research 70 The Limitations of Cancer Registries 71 The Use of Data from a Cancer Registry Data: One Researcher’s Story 71 Starting Your Own Registry in a Nutshell 73 References 74 Asking Existing Data the Right Questions: Data Mining as a Research Option in Low- and Middle-Income Countries 76 Background 76 Prognostic Values of Different Mutations in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) 77 Outcomes Research Using Data from Cancer Registries 78 Using Publicly Available Omics Datasets to Build or Support Original Hypotheses 78 Conclusions 79 References 80 Molecular and Cellular Analyses of Breast Cancers in Real Life 82 Introduction 82 Biomarkers in Breast Cancer 82 Biomarkers in Cancer Cells 82 Circulating Biomarkers 84 Biomarkers in Stromal Cells 85 Conclusions 87 References 87 Challenges in Establishing the Clinical Trials Centre at the University of Ulm 90 Challenge: IT Systems 90 Establishing a Central Quality Management System 91 Establishing a Central Pharmacovigilance System 92 Central Training 95 Governance 96 References 97 Part III: Patient Care 98 Improving Patient Care 99 Cancer Burden 99 Surgical Oncology 99 Palliative Care 100 Paediatric Oncology 101 Quality Assurance in Oncology 101 Comprehensive Cancer Centres 101 COVID-19-Related Service Disruption 102 References 102 Essential Elements in Improving Oncology in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) and Examples for Their Implementation in Nigeria 104 Introduction 104 Prevention and Early Detection 104 Control of Infections Associated with Cancer 105 Improving Cancer Screening and Diagnosis 105 Availability of Diagnostic Methods 106 Optimizing Patient Management 106 Research 107 Infrastructure and Human Resource Development 109 Multidisciplinary Management 109 Supportive and Survivorship Care 109 Conclusion 110 References 110 Obstacles and Optimisation of Oncology Services in India 112 Introduction 112 Historical Perspectives 112 Cancer Surgery and Surgical Oncology 113 Obstacles and Optimisation of Oncology Services in India 113 Solutions: Are There Any? 115 National Cancer Grid (NCG) Initiatives 115 Public Sector: Philanthropic Initiatives 116 Private Sector Initiatives 116 Hub and Spoke Model 118 Conclusion 118 References 119 Integrating Palliative Care into Primary Care: An Educational Project to Meet an Unmet Need 121 Background and Significance 121 Primary Palliative Care Versus Subspecialty Palliative Care 121 Palliative Care in Iran: Past, Present, and Future 121 Primary Palliative Care Educational Project 123 Challenges 124 Conclusion 124 References 124 Challenges in Developing Pediatric Cancer Care in Armenia 126 Parallel Worlds 126 From 0.7% to 80% 127 Entering a New World 127 Getting Around the Globe 128 Difficulties and Victories 128 Epilogue 131 References 131 Quality Oncology Practice Improvement (QOPI) in Brazil: A Successful Knowledge Transfer Under the Auspices of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 132 Introduction 132 QOPI 132 QCP 133 Creating a Safe Environment—Staffing and General Policy 133 Treatment Planning, Patient Consent, and Education 133 Ordering, Preparing, Dispensing, and Administering Chemotherapy 133 Following Up The Patient After Chemotherapy Administration, Including Adherence, Toxicity, and Complications 134 The Oncocentro Experience 134 References 135 Challenges in Running a Comprehensive Cancer Center 136 Introduction 136 Multidisciplinary Tumor Boards 136 IT Infrastructure 137 Structuring Patient Care 138 Clinical Trial Center 138 Research Infrastructure 138 Care Over and Above Medical Treatment 138 Quality Management 139 Structuring the Clinical Work 139 Outreach Activities 139 Getting Funded 140 Conclusion 140 References 140 Index 141