Global Curriculum in Research Literacy for the Surgical Oncologist
Leading Surgical Oncology Societies Call for Global Curriculum to address variations in the level of cancer-related research activity and correlation to cancer-specific mortality
Following the call for a Global Curriculum to address variations, inadequacies in training of surgical oncologists last year, The American Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) and the European Society of Surgical Oncology (ESSO) have jointly published two more joint articles calling for a Global curriculum in research literacy for the surgical oncologist.
Efforts in cancer research have yielded innovative treatment strategies that have led to improved cancer outcomes. Although there are data that have highlighted variations in the level of cancer research, there are no data that have assessed variations in the level of cancer-related research activity and its correlation to global cancer-specific mortality. The aim of this study was to determine global variation in the level of cancer-related research activity and correlate this with the rate of cancer-specific mortality at a global level by analyzing data for each individual country. It must be noted that the intent of this paper was not to attribute causality between research activity and cancer-specific outcomes, which are likely to be complex with many confounding factors such as the size of the health economy, variations in academic environment and general health, access to screening and numerous other socio-cultural variables that vary according to the wealth of a nation.
The ability to provide optimal care to cancer patients depends on awareness of current evidence-based practices emanating from research or involvement in research where circumstances permit. The significant global variations in cancer-related research activity and its correlation to cancer-specific outcomes may have an influence on the care provided to cancer patients and their outcomes. The aim of this project is to develop a global curriculum in research literacy for the surgical oncologist.
The proposed global curriculum in research literacy is intended to promote research literacy and encourage involvement in research activity where circumstances permit. It is hoped that this will enhance cancer-related research activity, promote awareness of optimal evidence-based practices and improve outcomes for cancer patients globally.
The two surgical oncology societies together published their findings the December 2017 online issues of both the Annals of Surgical Oncology and the European Journal of Surgical Oncology. The companion articles can be found at:
European Journal of Surgical Oncology:
Global variations in the level of cancer-related research activity and correlation to cancer-specific mortality: Proposal for a global curriculum
Global curriculum in research literacy for the surgical oncologist
Annals of Surgical Oncology:
Global variations in the level of cancer-related research activity and correlation to cancer-specific mortality: Proposal for a global curriculum
Global curriculum in research literacy for the surgical oncologist
Members of the SSO/ESSO Joint Global Curriculum Committee included: Chandrakanth Are, MD, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Neb. (SSO); Riccardo A. Audisio, MD, University of Liverpool, St. Helens, U.K. (ESSO); Russell S. Berman, MD, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY (SSO); Lynda Wyld, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK (ESSO); Charmaine Cummings, RN, Society of Surgical Oncology, Rosemont, Ill. (SSO); and, Carine Lecoq (ESSO).
