title: Geriatrics fellowship training and the role of geriatricians in older adult cancer care: A survey of geriatrics fellowship directors.
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.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology , University of Rochester , Rochester , New York , USA.
authors.forename: Ronald J
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2445-7481
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Maggiore
authors.affiliation: b Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Hematology and Oncology , Wake Forest School of Medicine , Winston-Salem , North Carolina , USA.
authors.forename: Kathryn E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Callahan
authors.affiliation: c Department of Biostatistical Sciences , Wake Forest School of Medicine , Winston-Salem , North Carolina , USA.
authors.forename: Janet A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Tooze
authors.affiliation: d Geriatric Oncology Solutions, La Jolla , California , USA.
authors.forename: Ira R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.affiliation: e Division of Medical Oncology , Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre , Ottawa , Ontario , Canada.
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.affiliation: b Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Hematology and Oncology , Wake Forest School of Medicine , Winston-Salem , North Carolina , USA.
authors.forename: Heidi D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Klepin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003479:Curriculum; D004493:Education / Q000379:methods; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships / Q000379:methods*; D000072219:Geriatricians; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods; D016522:Oncology Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D010346:Patient Care Management; D010819:Physician's Role
keywords: Cancer education; geriatric fellowship; geriatric oncology; program directors; training