Implementation of a student-run initiative to facilitate multidisciplinary cancer care in Pakistan: the Tumor Board Establishment Facilitation Forum
Abstract Background The lack of a multidisciplinary approach to the management of cancer patients in most parts of Pakistan is a long-standing and major concern. To overcome this disparity, we started a student-run initiative to facilitate the establishment of multidisciplinary tumor boards (MTBs) i...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-02-01
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| Series: | BMC Medical Education |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-06761-3 |
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| author | Muhammad Abdul Rehman Urooba Jawwad Erfa Tahir Unaiza Naeem Maheen Qamar Nowal Hussain Nimrata Kumari Ahmed Nadeem Abbasi Agha Muhammad Hammad Khan |
| author_facet | Muhammad Abdul Rehman Urooba Jawwad Erfa Tahir Unaiza Naeem Maheen Qamar Nowal Hussain Nimrata Kumari Ahmed Nadeem Abbasi Agha Muhammad Hammad Khan |
| author_sort | Muhammad Abdul Rehman |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The lack of a multidisciplinary approach to the management of cancer patients in most parts of Pakistan is a long-standing and major concern. To overcome this disparity, we started a student-run initiative to facilitate the establishment of multidisciplinary tumor boards (MTBs) in oncology, titled “Tumor Board Establishment Facilitation Forum (TEFF)”. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the clinical and academic impact of TEFF on cancer care for patients and student education, respectively. Methods The formation of TEFF was based on the Theory of Change model. We conducted a needs assessment based on existing literature, physical evaluation of wards, and consultation with senior academic faculty members. The logic model was refined through multiple meetings between stakeholders. All engagements of TEFF described in this manuscript are limited to the Dow Medical College and its affiliated tertiary care hospital, Dr. Ruth K. M. Pfau Civil Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. To gauge TEFF’s impact, we used administrative data generated between October 2021 to March 2024 to evaluate predefined outcomes (number of MTBs, cases, educational interventions, and research). Results The organizational structure comprised of 6 specialized departments: Communications, Operations, Media, Integrated Development, Research and Records, and Finance. We conducted 18 educational sessions for medical students about career guidance, research, cancer awareness; and 4 cancer awareness campaigns. TEFF facilitated the formation of 4 MTBs: breast, head and neck, gynecology, and pediatrics. Across these, 105 cases were discussed in 50 meetings. TEFF provided leadership opportunities, allowed familiarization with oncology, raised awareness of challenges associated with cancer care, allowed networking, and inculcated research-related skills and educational value through its MTBs. Conclusion Medical students can contribute significantly to clinical care at the undergraduate level. For countries/regions struggling to provide multidisciplinary cancer care, TEFF’s model serves as a blueprint for a viable solution. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7affa3236a794f869b246d4b79520775 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1472-6920 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Medical Education |
| spelling | doaj-art-7affa3236a794f869b246d4b795207752025-08-20T02:13:20ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202025-02-0125111110.1186/s12909-025-06761-3Implementation of a student-run initiative to facilitate multidisciplinary cancer care in Pakistan: the Tumor Board Establishment Facilitation ForumMuhammad Abdul Rehman0Urooba Jawwad1Erfa Tahir2Unaiza Naeem3Maheen Qamar4Nowal Hussain5Nimrata Kumari6Ahmed Nadeem Abbasi7Agha Muhammad Hammad Khan8Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health SciencesDow Medical College, Dow University of Health SciencesDow Medical College, Dow University of Health SciencesDow Medical College, Dow University of Health SciencesDow Medical College, Dow University of Health SciencesDow Medical College, Dow University of Health SciencesDow Medical College, Dow University of Health SciencesDepartment of Radiation Oncology, The Aga Khan University HospitalDepartment of Radiation Oncology, McGill UniversityAbstract Background The lack of a multidisciplinary approach to the management of cancer patients in most parts of Pakistan is a long-standing and major concern. To overcome this disparity, we started a student-run initiative to facilitate the establishment of multidisciplinary tumor boards (MTBs) in oncology, titled “Tumor Board Establishment Facilitation Forum (TEFF)”. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the clinical and academic impact of TEFF on cancer care for patients and student education, respectively. Methods The formation of TEFF was based on the Theory of Change model. We conducted a needs assessment based on existing literature, physical evaluation of wards, and consultation with senior academic faculty members. The logic model was refined through multiple meetings between stakeholders. All engagements of TEFF described in this manuscript are limited to the Dow Medical College and its affiliated tertiary care hospital, Dr. Ruth K. M. Pfau Civil Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. To gauge TEFF’s impact, we used administrative data generated between October 2021 to March 2024 to evaluate predefined outcomes (number of MTBs, cases, educational interventions, and research). Results The organizational structure comprised of 6 specialized departments: Communications, Operations, Media, Integrated Development, Research and Records, and Finance. We conducted 18 educational sessions for medical students about career guidance, research, cancer awareness; and 4 cancer awareness campaigns. TEFF facilitated the formation of 4 MTBs: breast, head and neck, gynecology, and pediatrics. Across these, 105 cases were discussed in 50 meetings. TEFF provided leadership opportunities, allowed familiarization with oncology, raised awareness of challenges associated with cancer care, allowed networking, and inculcated research-related skills and educational value through its MTBs. Conclusion Medical students can contribute significantly to clinical care at the undergraduate level. For countries/regions struggling to provide multidisciplinary cancer care, TEFF’s model serves as a blueprint for a viable solution.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-06761-3CancerMultidisciplinary team meetingsPakistanStudent-runTumor boards |
| spellingShingle | Muhammad Abdul Rehman Urooba Jawwad Erfa Tahir Unaiza Naeem Maheen Qamar Nowal Hussain Nimrata Kumari Ahmed Nadeem Abbasi Agha Muhammad Hammad Khan Implementation of a student-run initiative to facilitate multidisciplinary cancer care in Pakistan: the Tumor Board Establishment Facilitation Forum BMC Medical Education Cancer Multidisciplinary team meetings Pakistan Student-run Tumor boards |
| title | Implementation of a student-run initiative to facilitate multidisciplinary cancer care in Pakistan: the Tumor Board Establishment Facilitation Forum |
| title_full | Implementation of a student-run initiative to facilitate multidisciplinary cancer care in Pakistan: the Tumor Board Establishment Facilitation Forum |
| title_fullStr | Implementation of a student-run initiative to facilitate multidisciplinary cancer care in Pakistan: the Tumor Board Establishment Facilitation Forum |
| title_full_unstemmed | Implementation of a student-run initiative to facilitate multidisciplinary cancer care in Pakistan: the Tumor Board Establishment Facilitation Forum |
| title_short | Implementation of a student-run initiative to facilitate multidisciplinary cancer care in Pakistan: the Tumor Board Establishment Facilitation Forum |
| title_sort | implementation of a student run initiative to facilitate multidisciplinary cancer care in pakistan the tumor board establishment facilitation forum |
| topic | Cancer Multidisciplinary team meetings Pakistan Student-run Tumor boards |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-06761-3 |
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