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. 2018 Apr-Jun;39(2):170-182.
doi: 10.1080/02701960.2016.1247070. Epub 2016 Dec 18.

Geriatrics fellowship training and the role of geriatricians in older adult cancer care: A survey of geriatrics fellowship directors

Ronald J Maggiore  1 , Kathryn E Callahan  2 , Janet A Tooze  3 , Ira R Parker  4 , Tina Hsu  5 , Heidi D Klepin  2
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Geriatrics fellowship training and the role of geriatricians in older adult cancer care: A survey of geriatrics fellowship directors

Ronald J Maggiore et al. Gerontol Geriatr Educ. 2018 Apr-Jun.

Abstract

The number of older adults with cancer is growing, necessitating more collaborative training in geriatric principles and cancer care. The authors administered a web-based survey to U.S. geriatrics program directors (PDs) addressing cancer-specific training and perspectives on optimal training content and roles for geriatricians in cancer care. Of 140 PDs contacted, 67 (48%) responded. Topics considered very important in training included cancer screening (79%) and cancer-related pain management (70%). Respondents strongly agreed that some of the geriatrician's roles in cancer care included assessing functional status (64%) and assessing physical/cognitive function for goals of care (64%). About one half (54%) agreed that having a standardized geriatric oncology curriculum overall was important. The presence of a geriatric oncologist, requiring cancer-based rotations, being affiliated with a cancer center, or being internal versus family medicine-based did not affect this response. Despite this high level of support, cancer-related skills and knowledge warrant better definition and integration into current geriatrics training. This survey establishes potential areas for future educational collaborations between geriatrics and oncology training programs.

Keywords: Cancer education; geriatric fellowship; geriatric oncology; program directors; training.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest (disclosures table below). We affirm that this manuscript has not previously been published, nor has it simultaneously been submitted for review for publication at another journal.

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