Specialist Certificate in Clinical Research (Oncology)
Course Introduction
Clinical research in oncology is an enormous field that integrates the efforts of a broad multi-disciplinary team; including medical, nursing, allied health, laboratory and other professionals. The Specialist Certificate in Clinical Research (Oncology) has been designed to bring together this multi-disciplinary group to give them a better understanding of all types of research conducted in oncology as well as provide an understanding of the essential components and features of successful research activities and research careers.
Students will gain an understanding of the breath of research in oncology and the range of career opportunities. They will be presented with some of the ethical and legal considerations relevant to clinical research in oncology. They will learn of the many different outcomes assessed by oncology clinical trials, including how and why these might differ from other disciplines. Students will gain an appreciation of how to develop a research proposal/study protocol and will develop skills in critically appraising presentations and publications concerning oncology research. Students will also be exposed to many of the current active areas of research in clinical oncology research.+
Who should attend?
People currently working in oncology or other health services. The course and the award will be particularly useful for oncologists in training (medical, surgical and radiation oncology), clinical trails nurses and those working in the pharmaceutical industry or contract research groups.
Expert Speakers
This course is offered in partnership with the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Over half of the expert speakers will be representing the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Other speakers will be from:
- Austin Hospital/Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research
- The Cancer Council Victoria
- Novartis Pharmaceuticals
- Royal Melbourne Hospital
- St Vincent's Hospital
About Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
The Peter MacCallum Cancer centre exists to provide the best possible treatment and multidisciplinary holistic care for cancer patients and their families.
Peter Mac is unique in Australia in that:
- It is the only hospital solely dedicated to cancer.
- It is one of an elite few hospitals in the world that has its own integrated cancer research programs and laboratories.
- Its research program continually drives improvements in all aspects of treatment and clinical care.
- It provides multidisciplinary holistic care – experts from all fields come together to provide the best care at all stages of illness.
- Its oncologists sub-specialise in both common and rare types of cancer.
- It has specialised equipment and technology enabling highly complex treatments to be safely given.
Peter Mac’s main campus is situated in East Melbourne with satellite centres at Bendigo, Box Hill, Moorabbin and the Tattersalls Cancer Centre at Epworth in partnership with Peter Mac. For more information visit; www.petermac.org
About Cancer Trials Australia
Cancer Trails Australia is the leading services management organisation of early phase cancer clinical trails. Their aim is to provide excellence in quality, timeliness and cost and do so by sustaining a collaborative culture, and actively encouraging innovation. For more information visit; www.cancertrialsaustralia.com
Cancer Trails Australia Funding Support
The Cancer Trials Australia Specialist Certificate in Clinical Research (Oncology) funding support is to support the development of a pool of clinical researchers skilled in the field of clinical research in oncology and support Cancer Trials Australia's objectives and role in the search for better treatment outcomes for people with cancer.
The financial support available will meet the full cost of course fees for the Specialist Certificate in Clinical Research (Oncology) for four participants. The cost per participant is normally $4,200. Successful applicants must meet any other costs related to travel and accommodation. For more information download the CTA Flyer.
Prizes
Cancer Trials Australia will also provide a prize for the best overall student on the Specialist Certificate in Clinical Research (Oncology) of $500.
Testimonials
Radiation Oncology Registrar
"I would thoroughly recommend the course to any medical or radiation oncology trainee or anyone interested in research oncology. In fact, it should be compulsory."
Pharmacist
"Integrated well into the Masters Program and comprehensive as a stand alone course."
Registrar/Oncology Trainee
"Very comprehensive course. Consolidated information and taught me a lot I would otherwise learn by trail and error the hard way doing clinical research. Practical and inspirational course for anyone wanting to be involved with Clinical Research in Oncology."
2008 Registration
Closing date for applications is Friday, 1 February 2008
PLACES ARE STRICTLY LIMITED TO A MAXIMUM OF 20
Course Objectives
Students who successfully complete this course will:
- Gain an understanding of the breadth of research in oncology and the range of career opportunities.
- Be presented with some of the ethical and legal considerations relevant to clinical research in oncology.
- Learn of the different outcomes assessed by oncology clinical trials, including how and why these might differ from other disciplines.
- Gain an appreciation of how to develop a research proposal/study protocol.
- Develop skills in critically appraising presentations and publications concerning oncology research.
- Be exposed to many of the current active areas of research in clinical oncology research.
Entry Requirements
The Specialist Certificate in Clinical Research (Oncology) requires an appropriate undergraduate degree plus one year relevant work experience.
Course Fee
The Specialist Certificate in Clinical Research (Oncology) is $4,200
Course Structure
Students will complete the subject Clinical Research in Oncology.
The course is divided into two parts, each part consisting of four days.
Part One
This week provides key principles and fundamental knowledge that anyone involved in clinical research in oncology should have.
Part Two
This week expands on principles described in part one and provides illustrations of research in various areas.
Course Coordinator Details
Dr. Michael Jefford completed training in medical oncology in 1999, gaining Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP). In 2002, he completed a PhD with the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (through the University of Melbourne0, in 2003 completed a Master of Health Services Management (Monash University) and in 2006 was awarded Master of Public Health (Monash University).
He is currently a Consultant Medical Oncologist at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Melbourne and Clinical Consultant with the Cancer Information and Support Services at the Cancer Council Victoria. He is Chair of the Specialist Advisory Committee in Medical Oncology (RACP) and a member of the Specialist Advisory Committee in Palliative Medicine (RACP). He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Victorian Cooperative Oncology Group (the Cancer Council Victoria) and a member of the Executive and the Scientific Advisory Committee of the newly formed national Psycho-Oncology Cooperative Research Group. He maintains several other state and national leadership positions.
His research interests include the management of patients with gastrointestinal cancers as well as a range of supportive care and psycho-oncology studies. He has received $1.5m in research funding over the last four years as (co)/principle investigator and has published numerous reports in the above areas.
Dr Jefford is leading the development of this program, coordinating the team appointed to deliver different aspects of the course and is coordinating all assessments.
Delivery Dates
Part One: March 3, 4, 6 & 7 2008
Part Two: May 5, 6, 7 & 9 2008
Venue
Graduate House; 220 Leicester Street, Carlton VIC 3053
Course Brochure
Reading Packs
Students will be provided with a reading pack/folder for the program. This folder will include selected readings relevant to particular topics cover in the program and presentations delivered throughout the program.
Libraries
Award students will also be issued a University of Melbourne student card, which will give them full borrowing rights for all branches of the University of Melbourne libraries at Parkville.
The University of Melbourne holds one of the most significant academic libraries and archive collections in the southern hemisphere. It has one of the largest collections, providing three million volumes on paper and University Archives, including collections of international significance on many subjects.
Online Databases
Award students will be issued a University of Melbourne email username and password. This email username and password will allow you to access an extensive online resource library via the internet. This electronic database provides reference material for assignments and is a valuable tool to assist in your study.
Please find following web address for the University of Melbourne's online resource library: http://www.lib.unimelb.edu.au/
Online Learning System
Once a student has enrolled they will be issued with a user name and password to access the Online Learning system, also known as Moodle.
We suggest each student visits the site, completes the steps to login and familiarises themselves with the system. The system is a main point of communication between the coordinator, student services and other students enrolled. If there is required pre-reading, it will also be made available to view and print from Moodle. In addition, students can upload assignments directly to Moodle for assessment.
Information uploaded to Moodle such as assignments, and communication between the coordinator is strictly confidential and private. Other users do not have the ability to view this information without the expressed permission of the author and Melbourne Consulting & Custom Programs, the University of Melbourne.
Articulation in to higher awards
On successful completion of the Specialist Certificate in Clinical Research (Oncology) students will be eligible for 25 points credit towards the planned:
- Graduate Diploma in Clinical Research
- Masters programs in Clinical Research
For further information contact
Danielle Boardman
Project Manager
Melbourne Consulting and Custom Programs
The University of Melbourne
Level 3, 442 Auburn Road
Hawthorn, Vic 3122 Australia
T: +61 3 9810 3250
F: +61 3 9810 3149
E: d.boardman@mccp.unimelb.edu.au
W: www.mccp.unimelb.edu.au
Application Process
Applications are managed by Student Services.