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Aggarwal A, Simcock R, Price P, Rachet B, Lyratzopoulos G, Walker K, Spencer K, Roques T, Sullivan R. NHS cancer services and systems-ten pressure points a UK cancer control plan needs to address. Lancet Oncol 2024; 25:e363-e373. [PMID: 38991599 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(24)00345-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
In this Policy Review we discuss ten key pressure points in the NHS in the delivery of cancer care services that need to be urgently addressed by a comprehensive national cancer control plan. These pressure points cover areas such as increasing workforce capacity and its productivity, delivering effective cancer survivorship services, addressing variation in quality, fixing the reimbursement system for cancer care, and balancing of the cancer research agenda. These areas have been selected based on their relative importance to ensuring sustainable cancer services, persistence as key issues in the NHS, and their impact on delivering better and more equitable and affordable patient outcomes. Many of these pressure points are not acknowledged explicitly in any current discourse. The evidence we provide points to their impact on the ability to deliver world class cancer care, but also to their amenability to affordable solutions if given the relevant prioritisation and investment. The current narrative needs to move away from a technocentric approach to improving care, to one focused on understanding the complexity of cancer services and the wider health system to drive improvements in survival, quality of life, and experience for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Aggarwal
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Department of Oncology, Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Trust, London, UK.
| | - Richard Simcock
- Department of Oncology, University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust, Brighton, UK
| | - Pat Price
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Bernard Rachet
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Kate Walker
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Katie Spencer
- Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK; Department of Oncology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds
| | - Tom Roques
- Department of Oncology, Norfolk and Norwich NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich, UK
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2
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Aggarwal A, Sullivan R. Can a Major Conditions Strategy substitute for a National Cancer Control Plan? Lancet Oncol 2024; 25:830-832. [PMID: 38824942 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(24)00279-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Aggarwal
- Department of Health Services Research & Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Richard Sullivan
- Department of Health Services Research & Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Institute of Cancer Policy, Centre for Cancer, Society & Public Health, King's College London, London SE1 9RT, UK.
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3
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Aggarwal A, Choudhury A, Fearnhead N, Kearns P, Kirby A, Lawler M, Quinlan S, Palmieri C, Roques T, Simcock R, Walter FM, Price P, Sullivan R. The future of cancer care in the UK-time for a radical and sustainable National Cancer Plan. Lancet Oncol 2024; 25:e6-e17. [PMID: 37977167 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(23)00511-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Cancer affects one in two people in the UK and the incidence is set to increase. The UK National Health Service is facing major workforce deficits and cancer services have struggled to recover after the COVID-19 pandemic, with waiting times for cancer care becoming the worst on record. There are severe and widening disparities across the country and survival rates remain unacceptably poor for many cancers. This is at a time when cancer care has become increasingly complex, specialised, and expensive. The current crisis has deep historic roots, and to be reversed, the scale of the challenge must be acknowledged and a fundamental reset is required. The loss of a dedicated National Cancer Control Plan in England and Wales, poor operationalisation of plans elsewhere in the UK, and the closure of the National Cancer Research Institute have all added to a sense of strategic misdirection. The UK finds itself at a crossroads, where the political decisions of governments, the cancer community, and research funders will determine whether we can, together, achieve equitable, affordable, and high-quality cancer care for patients that is commensurate with our wealth, and position our outcomes among the best in the world. In this Policy Review, we describe the challenges and opportunities that are needed to develop radical, yet sustainable plans, which are comprehensive, evidence-based, integrated, patient-outcome focused, and deliver value for money.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Aggarwal
- Department of Health Services Research & Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ananya Choudhury
- Department of Clinical Oncology and Division of Cancer Sciences, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Nicola Fearnhead
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Pam Kearns
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Anna Kirby
- Department of Radiotherapy, Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK
| | - Mark Lawler
- Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queens University Belfast Belfast, UK
| | | | - Carlo Palmieri
- The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, & Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Tom Roques
- Royal College of Radiologists & Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich, UK
| | - Richard Simcock
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, Brighton, UK
| | - Fiona M Walter
- Wolfson Institute of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Pat Price
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Richard Sullivan
- Institute of Cancer Policy, Centre for Cancer, Society & Public Health, King's College London, London, UK
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4
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Are C, Murthy SS, Sullivan R, Schissel M, Chowdhury S, Alatise O, Anaya D, Are M, Balch C, Bartlett D, Brennan M, Cairncross L, Clark M, Deo SVS, Dudeja V, D'Ugo D, Fadhil I, Giuliano A, Gopal S, Gutnik L, Ilbawi A, Jani P, Kingham TP, Lorenzon L, Leiphrakpam P, Leon A, Martinez-Said H, McMasters K, Meltzer DO, Mutebi M, Zafar SN, Naik V, Newman L, Oliveira AF, Park DJ, Pramesh CS, Rao S, Subramanyeshwar Rao T, Bargallo-Rocha E, Romanoff A, Rositch AF, Rubio IT, Salvador de Castro Ribeiro H, Sbaity E, Senthil M, Smith L, Toi M, Turaga K, Yanala U, Yip CH, Zaghloul A, Anderson BO. Global Cancer Surgery: pragmatic solutions to improve cancer surgery outcomes worldwide. Lancet Oncol 2023; 24:e472-e518. [PMID: 37924819 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(23)00412-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
The first Lancet Oncology Commission on Global Cancer Surgery was published in 2015 and serves as a landmark paper in the field of cancer surgery. The Commission highlighted the burden of cancer and the importance of cancer surgery, while documenting the many inadequacies in the ability to deliver safe, timely, and affordable cancer surgical care. This Commission builds on the first Commission by focusing on solutions and actions to improve access to cancer surgery globally, developed by drawing upon the expertise from cancer surgery leaders across the world. We present solution frameworks in nine domains that can improve access to cancer surgery. These nine domains were refined to identify solutions specific to the six WHO regions. On the basis of these solutions, we developed eight actions to propel essential improvements in the global capacity for cancer surgery. Our initiatives are broad in scope, pragmatic, affordable, and contextually applicable, and aimed at cancer surgeons as well as leaders, administrators, elected officials, and health policy advocates. We envision that the solutions and actions contained within the Commission will address inequities and promote safe, timely, and affordable cancer surgery for every patient, regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographic location.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandrakanth Are
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
| | - Shilpa S Murthy
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Richard Sullivan
- Institute of Cancer Policy, School of Cancer Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Makayla Schissel
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Sanjib Chowdhury
- Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Olesegun Alatise
- Department of Surgery, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
| | - Daniel Anaya
- Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Madhuri Are
- Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Charles Balch
- Department of Surgical Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, Global Cancer Surgery: pragmatic solutions to improve USA
| | - David Bartlett
- Department of Surgery, Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Murray Brennan
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lydia Cairncross
- Department of Surgery, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Matthew Clark
- University of Auckland School of Medicine, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - S V S Deo
- Department of Surgical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Vikas Dudeja
- Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Domenico D'Ugo
- Department of Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Armando Giuliano
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Satish Gopal
- Center for Global Health, National Cancer Institute, Washington DC, USA
| | - Lily Gutnik
- Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Andre Ilbawi
- Department of Noncommunicable Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Pankaj Jani
- Department of Surgery, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Laura Lorenzon
- Department of Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Premila Leiphrakpam
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Augusto Leon
- Department of Surgical Oncology, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Kelly McMasters
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Hiram C Polk, Jr MD Department of Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - David O Meltzer
- Section of Hospital Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Miriam Mutebi
- Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Syed Nabeel Zafar
- Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Vibhavari Naik
- Department of Anesthesiology, Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, Hyderabad, India
| | - Lisa Newman
- Department of Surgery, New York-Presbyterian, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Do Joong Park
- Department of Surgery and Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - C S Pramesh
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgical Oncology, Tata Memorial Centre, Tata Memorial Hospital, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
| | - Saieesh Rao
- Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - T Subramanyeshwar Rao
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute, Hyderabad, India
| | | | - Anya Romanoff
- Department of Global Health and Health System Design, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anne F Rositch
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Isabel T Rubio
- Breast Surgical Oncology, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Eman Sbaity
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Maheswari Senthil
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Lynette Smith
- Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Masakazi Toi
- Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Disease Center, Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kiran Turaga
- Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ujwal Yanala
- Surgical Oncology, University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Cheng-Har Yip
- Department of Surgery, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Gadsby EW, Brown C, Crawford C, Dale G, Duncan E, Galbraith L, Gold K, Hibberd C, McFarland A, McGlashan J, McInnes M, McNaughton J, Murray J, Radin E, Teodorowski P, Thomson J. Test, evidence, transition projects in Scotland: developing the evidence needed for transition of effective interventions in cancer care from innovation into mainstream practice. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:1049. [PMID: 37915009 PMCID: PMC10619322 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11592-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A robust evidence base is required to assist healthcare commissioners and providers in selecting effective and sustainable approaches to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment. Such evidence can be difficult to build, given the fast-paced and highly pressured nature of healthcare delivery, the absence of incentives, and the presence of barriers in conducting pragmatic yet robust research evaluations. Cancer Research UK (CRUK) has played an active part in building the evidence base through its funding of programmes to identify, evaluate and scale-up innovative approaches across the UK. The aim of this paper is to describe and explain the research design and intended approach and activities for two cancer services improvement projects in Scotland funded by CRUK. METHODS A hybrid effectiveness-implementation study design will assess both the efficiency of the new pathways and their implementation strategies, with the aim of generating knowledge for scale-up. A range of implementation, service and clinical outcomes will be assessed as determined by the projects' Theories of Change (ToCs). A naturalistic case study approach will enable in-depth exploration of context and process, and the collection and synthesis of data from multiple sources including routine datasets, patient and staff surveys, in-depth interviews and observational and other data. The evaluations are informed throughout by a patient/public representatives' group, and by small group discussions with volunteer cancer patients. DISCUSSION Our approach has been designed to provide a holistic understanding of how (well) the improvement projects work (in relation to their anticipated outcomes), and how they interact with their wider contexts. The evaluations will help identify barriers, facilitators, and unanticipated consequences that can impact scalability, sustainability and spread. By opting for a pragmatic, participatory evaluation research design, we hope to inform strategies for scaling up successful innovations while addressing challenges in a targeted manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Wirrmann Gadsby
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Pathfoot Building, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK.
| | - Carson Brown
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Pathfoot Building, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Claire Crawford
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Pathfoot Building, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Glen Dale
- Patient/public representative, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Edward Duncan
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Pathfoot Building, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Linda Galbraith
- Patient/public representative, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Karen Gold
- Patient/public representative, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Carina Hibberd
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Pathfoot Building, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Agi McFarland
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Pathfoot Building, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Jennifer McGlashan
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Pathfoot Building, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Melanie McInnes
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Pathfoot Building, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Joanne McNaughton
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Pathfoot Building, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK
| | | | - Esme Radin
- Patient/public representative, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Piotr Teodorowski
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Pathfoot Building, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Jane Thomson
- NHS Fife, Victoria Hospital, Hayfield Road, Kirkcaldy, KY2 5AH, UK
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6
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Rubagumya F, Carson L, Mushonga M, Manirakiza A, Murenzi G, Abdihamid O, Athman A, Mungo C, Booth C, Hammad N. An analysis of the African cancer research ecosystem: tackling disparities. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:e011338. [PMID: 36792229 PMCID: PMC9933677 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-011338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Disparities in cancer research persist around the world. This is especially true in global health research, where high-income countries (HICs) continue to set global health priorities further creating several imbalances in how research is conducted in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Cancer research disparities in Africa can be attributed to a vicious cycle of challenges in the research ecosystem ranging from who funds research, where research is conducted, who conducts it, what type of research is conducted and where and how it is disseminated. For example, the funding chasm between HICs and LMICs contributes to inequities and parachutism in cancer research. Breaking the current cancer research model necessitates a thorough examination of why current practices and norms exist and the identification of actionable ways to improve them. The cancer research agenda in Africa should be appropriate for the African nations and continent. Empowering African researchers and ensuring local autonomy are two critical steps in moving cancer research towards this new paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fidel Rubagumya
- Oncology, Rwanda Military Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda
- Oncology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Research for Development (RD Rwanda), Kigali, Rwanda
- Oncology, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Laura Carson
- Oncology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Melinda Mushonga
- Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Gad Murenzi
- Oncology, Rwanda Military Hospital, Kigali, Rwanda
- Research for Development (RD Rwanda), Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Omar Abdihamid
- Oncology, Garissa County Referral Hospital, Garissa, Kenya
| | - Abeid Athman
- Oncology, Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital, Mombasa, Kenya
| | - Chemtai Mungo
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Nazik Hammad
- Department of Medical Oncology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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7
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Hammad N, Ndlovu N, Carson LM, Ramogola-Masire D, Mallick I, Berry S, Olapade-Olaopa EO. Competency-Based Workforce Development and Education in Global Oncology. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:1760-1775. [PMID: 36826097 PMCID: PMC9955139 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30020136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The healthcare workforce plays a pivotal role in cancer care delivery, leadership, policy, education, and research in complex cancer systems. To ensure quality and relevance, health professionals must have the necessary competencies to deliver patient-centered and efficient care, coupled with the ability to work in teams and manage health resources wisely. This paper aims to review the concept of competency-based medical education (CBME) in the context of oncology to provide insights and guidance for those interested in adopting or adapting competency-based education in training programs. The results of a scoping review of CBME in oncology are presented here to describe the current status of CBME in oncology. The literature describing the implementation and evaluation of CBME in oncology training programs for medical professionals internationally is summarized and key themes identified to provide practical guidance for educators. Further, the paper identifies critical competencies for oncology education and training globally and presents recommendations and opportunities for collaboration in competency-based education and training in oncology. The authors argue for increased global collaboration and networking in the realm of CBME to facilitate the establishment of a competent global cancer care workforce.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazik Hammad
- Department of Oncology, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
- Correspondence:
| | - Ntokozo Ndlovu
- Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare P.O. Box MP 167, Zimbabwe
- Division of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Harare P.O. Box CY 198, Zimbabwe
| | - Laura Mae Carson
- Department of Oncology, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Doreen Ramogola-Masire
- Department of ObGYN, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Private Bag UB 0022, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Indranil Mallick
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tata Medical Center, Kolkata 700 160, West Bengal, India
| | - Scott Berry
- Department of Oncology, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
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8
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Lawler M, Davies L, Oberst S, Oliver K, Eggermont A, Schmutz A, La Vecchia C, Allemani C, Lievens Y, Naredi P, Cufer T, Aggarwal A, Aapro M, Apostolidis K, Baird AM, Cardoso F, Charalambous A, Coleman MP, Costa A, Crul M, Dégi CL, Di Nicolantonio F, Erdem S, Geanta M, Geissler J, Jassem J, Jagielska B, Jonsson B, Kelly D, Kelm O, Kolarova T, Kutluk T, Lewison G, Meunier F, Pelouchova J, Philip T, Price R, Rau B, Rubio IT, Selby P, Južnič Sotlar M, Spurrier-Bernard G, van Hoeve JC, Vrdoljak E, Westerhuis W, Wojciechowska U, Sullivan R. European Groundshot-addressing Europe's cancer research challenges: a Lancet Oncology Commission. Lancet Oncol 2023; 24:e11-e56. [PMID: 36400101 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(22)00540-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cancer research is a crucial pillar for countries to deliver more affordable, higher quality, and more equitable cancer care. Patients treated in research-active hospitals have better outcomes than patients who are not treated in these settings. However, cancer in Europe is at a crossroads. Cancer was already a leading cause of premature death before the COVID-19 pandemic, and the disastrous effects of the pandemic on early diagnosis and treatment will probably set back cancer outcomes in Europe by almost a decade. Recognising the pivotal importance of research not just to mitigate the pandemic today, but to build better European cancer services and systems for patients tomorrow, the Lancet Oncology European Groundshot Commission on cancer research brings together a wide range of experts, together with detailed new data on cancer research activity across Europe during the past 12 years. We have deployed this knowledge to help inform Europe's Beating Cancer Plan and the EU Cancer Mission, and to set out an evidence-driven, patient-centred cancer research roadmap for Europe. The high-resolution cancer research data we have generated show current activities, captured through different metrics, including by region, disease burden, research domain, and effect on outcomes. We have also included granular data on research collaboration, gender of researchers, and research funding. The inclusion of granular data has facilitated the identification of areas that are perhaps overemphasised in current cancer research in Europe, while also highlighting domains that are underserved. Our detailed data emphasise the need for more information-driven and data-driven cancer research strategies and planning going forward. A particular focus must be on central and eastern Europe, because our findings emphasise the widening gap in cancer research activity, and capacity and outcomes, compared with the rest of Europe. Citizens and patients, no matter where they are, must benefit from advances in cancer research. This Commission also highlights that the narrow focus on discovery science and biopharmaceutical research in Europe needs to be widened to include such areas as prevention and early diagnosis; treatment modalities such as radiotherapy and surgery; and a larger concentration on developing a research and innovation strategy for the 20 million Europeans living beyond a cancer diagnosis. Our data highlight the important role of comprehensive cancer centres in driving the European cancer research agenda. Crucial to a functioning cancer research strategy and its translation into patient benefit is the need for a greater emphasis on health policy and systems research, including implementation science, so that the innovative technological outputs from cancer research have a clear pathway to delivery. This European cancer research Commission has identified 12 key recommendations within a call to action to reimagine cancer research and its implementation in Europe. We hope this call to action will help to achieve our ambitious 70:35 target: 70% average 10-year survival for all European cancer patients by 2035.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Lawler
- Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
| | - Lynne Davies
- International Cancer Research Partnership, International House, Cardiff, UK
| | - Simon Oberst
- Organisation of European Cancer Institutes, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kathy Oliver
- International Brain Tumour Alliance, Tadworth, UK; European Cancer Organisation Patient Advisory Committee, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Alexander Eggermont
- Faculty of Medicine, Utrecht University Medical Center, Utrecht, Netherlands; Princess Máxima Centrum, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Anna Schmutz
- International Agency for Cancer Research, Lyon, France
| | - Carlo La Vecchia
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Allemani
- Cancer Survival Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Yolande Lievens
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Ghent University and Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Peter Naredi
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Tanja Cufer
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ajay Aggarwal
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Institute of Cancer Policy, King's College London, London, UK; Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Matti Aapro
- Genolier Cancer Center, Genolier, Switzerland
| | - Kathi Apostolidis
- Hellenic Cancer Federation, Athens, Greece; European Cancer Patient Coalition, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Anne-Marie Baird
- Lung Cancer Europe, Bern, Switzerland; Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Fatima Cardoso
- Champalimaud Clinical Center/Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Andreas Charalambous
- European Cancer Organisation Brussels, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Nursing, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus; Department of Oncology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Michel P Coleman
- Cancer Survival Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | | | - Csaba L Dégi
- Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Federica Di Nicolantonio
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Italy
| | - Sema Erdem
- European Cancer Organisation Patient Advisory Committee, Europa Donna, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Marius Geanta
- Centre for Innovation in Medicine and Kol Medical Media, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Jan Geissler
- Patvocates and CML Advocates Network, Leukaemie-Online (LeukaNET), Munich, Germany
| | | | - Beata Jagielska
- Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Daniel Kelly
- School of Healthcare Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Olaf Kelm
- International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
| | | | - Tezer Kutluk
- Faculty of Medicine & Cancer Institute, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Grant Lewison
- Institute of Cancer Policy, School of Cancer Sciences, Kings College London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Thierry Philip
- Organisation of European Cancer Institutes, Brussels, Belgium; Institut Curie, Paris, France
| | - Richard Price
- European Cancer Organisation Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Beate Rau
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Peter Selby
- School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | | | | | - Jolanda C van Hoeve
- Organisation of European Cancer Institutes, Brussels, Belgium; Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Eduard Vrdoljak
- Department of Oncology, University Hospital Center Split, School of Medicine, University of Split, Split, Croatia
| | - Willien Westerhuis
- Organisation of European Cancer Institutes, Brussels, Belgium; Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | - Richard Sullivan
- Institute of Cancer Policy, School of Cancer Sciences, Kings College London, London, UK
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