Abstract
Oncologists must familiarize themselves with a complex evidence base. Several curricula have been devised, but it is not clear how these are used. We chose breast cancer, since this has a large literature base. Of the 285 radiation and medical oncology trainees in the USA and UK responding to our survey, over 90% reported knowledge of the literature was essential. Just over half of respondents had actually read the ASCO or ESMO curricula, with only 23% reporting that the curricula were important in their learning. Our survey revealed dissatisfaction with current curricula and a demand for more pragmatic literature guidance. We designed an alternative curriculum by using a 21-member peer review group to validate a list of key papers in breast oncology. Oncologists in training need guidance to direct their study. A curriculum based on an International Core Literature Consensus might match the needs of trainees more closely.
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Acknowledgments
We thank our peer review panel: Craig Allred, Harry Bear, Harry Bartelink, Charles Coombes, Mitch Dowsett, Matthew Ellis, Bernard Fisher, Barbara Fowble, Jay Harris, Dan Hayes, Gabriel Hortobagyi, Clifford Hudis, Raimund Jakesz, Walter Jonat, Heikki Joensuu, Jean Nabholtz, Larry Norton, Joyce O’Shaughnessy, Abram Recht, Eva Singeltary, and Norman Wolmark. We would also like to acknowledge the assistance of Steven Smith of the American Society of Radiation Oncology in survey administration and of Swati Bansal and Ryan Callahan of Sage Computing in statistical analysis.
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Patel, S., Jagsi, R., Cook, N. et al. The International Core Literature Consensus (ICLC): an Alternative Curriculum for Oncologists. J Canc Educ 26, 420–426 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-011-0242-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-011-0242-y