A National Curriculum in Cancer Genomics for Physicians and Medical Students

NIH RePORTER · NIH · R25 · $248,478 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

Abstract Genomic testing has become integrated into cancer care. Physicians routinely order tumor sequencing analyzing hundreds of genes to identify options for personalized treatment. Unfortunately, there is evidence that members of the oncology clinical care team may not have the knowledge and skills to effectively utilize genomic data. Pathologists play a key role in tumor genomic testing and, since 2012, the Training Residents in Genomics (TRIG) Working Group, a multi-organizational committee, has developed and implemented a national pathology resident cancer genomics curriculum. Using a similar model, the Undergraduate Training in Genomics (UTRIG) Working Group has developed a medical student curriculum. Through NCI R25 funding, there has been remarkable progress with over 50 innovative international team-based learning (TBL) workshops for over 2000 participants, creation of online resources and novel use of national resident in-service exams to gauge progress in genomics curriculum implementation. To continue to ensure adequate pathology resident and medical student cancer genomics education, and given the rapidly changing field, a major aim of this grant renewal application is to revise, evaluate and further promote the TRIG and UTRIG curricula through annual workshops including distribution of enduring materials. Another major proposed objective is to adapt the TRIG model to a critical group of cancer care providers, oncology fellows. Working with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and their Oncology Training Program Committee, oncology fellowship program directors partnering with local site genomic oncology experts will be taught, through annual train-the-trainer sessions, how to implement an expert-developed genomic oncology fellow curriculum. The program directors will then implement the curriculum with their fellows with support from an online community platform. A structured and rigorous evaluation process will allow continued improvement of the pathology resident, medical student and oncology fellow curricula and workshops.

Key facts

NIH application ID
10877905
Project number
5R25CA168544-12
Recipient
BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER
Principal Investigator
Richard L Haspel
Activity code
R25
Funding institute
NIH
Fiscal year
2024
Award amount
$248,478
Award type
5
Project period
2012-09-21 → 2028-08-31