An Introductory Course on Geriatric Oncology

Introduction The need to train oncologists to address the complexities of the aging population has been a focus of educational initiatives and strategies since the 1980s. However, large gaps in the dissemination and implementation of geriatric oncology curricula are still present. Currently, few res...

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Main Authors: David J. Gregorio, Kana Lucero, Sukeshi Patel Arora, Kate Lathrop, Justin Horowitz, Becky Powers
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Association of American Medical Colleges 2024-11-01
Series:MedEdPORTAL
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Online Access:http://www.mededportal.org/doi/10.15766/mep_2374-8265.11471
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author David J. Gregorio
Kana Lucero
Sukeshi Patel Arora
Kate Lathrop
Justin Horowitz
Becky Powers
author_facet David J. Gregorio
Kana Lucero
Sukeshi Patel Arora
Kate Lathrop
Justin Horowitz
Becky Powers
author_sort David J. Gregorio
collection DOAJ
description Introduction The need to train oncologists to address the complexities of the aging population has been a focus of educational initiatives and strategies since the 1980s. However, large gaps in the dissemination and implementation of geriatric oncology curricula are still present. Currently, few resources exist for oncology training programs to implement a formal geriatric oncology curriculum. We aimed to create a formalized introductory course to teach oncology and geriatrics trainees the principles of geriatric oncology. Methods Curriculum presentations were delivered to both hematology/oncology and geriatrics fellows during five 1-hour didactic/workshop sessions over a 2-month period. In addition to didactic presentations, sessions included interactive learning components and a case-based workshop. Evaluation of the curriculum was conducted through pre- and postcourse knowledge and competency assessments, as well as individual session satisfaction surveys. Results Fifteen (11 hematology/oncology and four geriatric medicine) clinical fellows participated in the first presentation of this curriculum during the 2022–2023 academic year. The mean score on the precourse knowledge assessment was 7.1 (SD = 2.5) out of a maximum score of 15 compared with a mean score on the postcourse knowledge assessment of 9.8 (SD = 3.0; CI: 8.0–11.6; t = −2.5; p = .02). Discussion Course content was successfully implemented into the hematology/oncology and geriatric medicine fellowship core curriculum using the above methods. Future directions include presentation of course material to incoming trainees, content refinement based on satisfaction surveys, and interdisciplinary adaptation for trainees in other health care disciplines (e.g., nursing, advanced practice providers, etc.).
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spelling doaj-art-758cbe07c9664981ad1d21592776a0202024-11-14T05:00:06ZengAssociation of American Medical CollegesMedEdPORTAL2374-82652024-11-012010.15766/mep_2374-8265.11471An Introductory Course on Geriatric OncologyDavid J. Gregorio0Kana Lucero1Sukeshi Patel Arora2Kate Lathrop3Justin Horowitz4Becky Powers5Hematology/Medical Oncology Fellow, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Audie L. Murphy Veterans Memorial Medical CenterGeriatrics/Palliative Medicine Fellow, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Audie L. Murphy Veterans Memorial Medical CenterAssociate Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioAssociate Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio; Associate Professor and Hematology and Medical Oncology Fellowship Director, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of MedicineHematology and Oncology Clinical Pharmacist, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioAssociate Professor, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Audie L. Murphy Veterans Memorial Hospital Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center; Associate Professor and Program Director of Geriatric Medicine Fellowship, Division of Geriatrics, Gerontology & Palliative Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of MedicineIntroduction The need to train oncologists to address the complexities of the aging population has been a focus of educational initiatives and strategies since the 1980s. However, large gaps in the dissemination and implementation of geriatric oncology curricula are still present. Currently, few resources exist for oncology training programs to implement a formal geriatric oncology curriculum. We aimed to create a formalized introductory course to teach oncology and geriatrics trainees the principles of geriatric oncology. Methods Curriculum presentations were delivered to both hematology/oncology and geriatrics fellows during five 1-hour didactic/workshop sessions over a 2-month period. In addition to didactic presentations, sessions included interactive learning components and a case-based workshop. Evaluation of the curriculum was conducted through pre- and postcourse knowledge and competency assessments, as well as individual session satisfaction surveys. Results Fifteen (11 hematology/oncology and four geriatric medicine) clinical fellows participated in the first presentation of this curriculum during the 2022–2023 academic year. The mean score on the precourse knowledge assessment was 7.1 (SD = 2.5) out of a maximum score of 15 compared with a mean score on the postcourse knowledge assessment of 9.8 (SD = 3.0; CI: 8.0–11.6; t = −2.5; p = .02). Discussion Course content was successfully implemented into the hematology/oncology and geriatric medicine fellowship core curriculum using the above methods. Future directions include presentation of course material to incoming trainees, content refinement based on satisfaction surveys, and interdisciplinary adaptation for trainees in other health care disciplines (e.g., nursing, advanced practice providers, etc.).http://www.mededportal.org/doi/10.15766/mep_2374-8265.11471Geriatric MedicineGeriatric OncologyCase-Based LearningGeriatricsHematologyOncology
spellingShingle David J. Gregorio
Kana Lucero
Sukeshi Patel Arora
Kate Lathrop
Justin Horowitz
Becky Powers
An Introductory Course on Geriatric Oncology
MedEdPORTAL
Geriatric Medicine
Geriatric Oncology
Case-Based Learning
Geriatrics
Hematology
Oncology
title An Introductory Course on Geriatric Oncology
title_full An Introductory Course on Geriatric Oncology
title_fullStr An Introductory Course on Geriatric Oncology
title_full_unstemmed An Introductory Course on Geriatric Oncology
title_short An Introductory Course on Geriatric Oncology
title_sort introductory course on geriatric oncology
topic Geriatric Medicine
Geriatric Oncology
Case-Based Learning
Geriatrics
Hematology
Oncology
url http://www.mededportal.org/doi/10.15766/mep_2374-8265.11471
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