5 year programme

The Programme will be offered over a period of 5 years, beginning with training in Internal Medicine for at least 2 years, followed by a training programme in Haematology and Medical Oncology for 3 to 5 years. Two of the 3 to 5 years must include full time clinical training in the diagnosis and management of a broad spectrum of neoplastic diseases. The programme will be divided into two parts: Part 1 and Part 11. 

Part I (minimum 115 weeks) consists of an introductory period of 23 weeks in an approved course of study in basic general Haematology and Oncology, followed by a period of 92 weeks in which the candidate will complete the prescribed course of study in adult medicine. 

Part II includes a minimum period of 92 weeks spent in an approved course of study in clinical and laboratory Haematology, 12 weeks of which must be spent in Haematopathology. Additionally, there is a mandatory 23-week elective period in which the candidate must undertake a Clinical Research Project in any area related to Haematology or medical Oncology. The Clinical Research Project should be approved by the candidate’s supervisor prior to commencement of the research.

Examination

• Before admission to any examination, the candidates must be certified by their supervisors as having satisfactorily completed the relevant part(s) of the training programme. The Part I examination is the DM (Internal Medicine) Part I examination at the end of year 2. This will consist of continuous assessment from Year 3 to 5 with quizzes after each module. The final examination at the end of the training programme can only be attempted after submission and approval of the completed Clinical Research Project and will include:

a) MCQ paper (inclusive of Haematology, Oncology

b) Internal Medicine

c) Essay papers (Paper 1 – Haematology; Paper 11 – Oncology)

d) Practical (Haematology only) – data and slides only

e) Oral examinations

• The Part II examination must be completed within 12 months of the first attempt.
• Successful candidates must achieve a passing grade in each of the written papers, practical and oral examinations.

DM Medical Oncology

The DM programme in Medical Oncology is intended to produce graduates who are competent to practice as specialists in Medical Oncology. The DM in Medical Oncology degree is awarded upon satisfactory completion of the programme in accordance with the requirements of the Specialty Board, including passing the exit examination (Part 2). Curriculum Log Book will be used to document trainee progress through the competencies outlined by the curriculum. 

Syllabus (Programme Content)

i. Scientific Principles of Oncology

ii. Principles of Cancer Diagnosis and Management

iii. Clinical Research

iv. Cancer types and sites

v. Emergencies and complications

vi. Geriatric oncology and related issues

vii. Supportive care viii. Survivorship and follow-up including surveillance, second cancers, psychosocial and economic issues

ix. Psychosocial aspects of cancer including psychosocial support, cultural and spiritual issues, coping mechanisms, and integration of care including family members, pastoral care, nursing support, counseling, social work, mental health professionals, hospice, and cancer support groups.

x. Bioethical, legal and economic issues including informed consent, research ethics, end-of-life and life-support legal issues, cost effectiveness, conflict of interest, and professionalism.

xi. Issues affecting fertility and sexuality including risks of infertility or sterility, prevention and treatment strategies, indications for referral to specialist fertility services, physical and psychological impact of cancer and its therapy on sexuality, ability to counsel patients regarding these issues.

xii. Communication skills including communication of prognosis, options, goals of care, delivery of bad news.

xiii. Practical procedures including chemotherapy administration, use of vascular access devices, bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, lumbar puncture and Ommaya reservoir, tumor assessment, thoracentesis and paracentesis.

xiv. Use of information systems including electronic medical records, patient resources, health care professional resources.

Research Project

The candidate is expected to complete an original research project or audit in an area relevant to cancer and/or its treatment in Trinidad, Tobago or the Caribbean. A minimum length of 2000 words is required, and the project is to be suitable for publication in a local or international peer-reviewed journal. This project is to be completed by the beginning of year 4. A supervisor is to be appointed, and must be a faculty member. The project topic and supervisor are to be approved by the programme director. 

Assessment

The programme will be assessed as follows:

a) By the external examiner yearly and through the recommendations of the Board of examiners

b) The Board of examiners will be appointed in accordance with the UWI regulations for taught masters programs

c) The programme will also be assessed during the periodic quality assurance reviews of the roles and functions of the Department of Clinical Medical Sciences by the Campus Quality Assurance Unit