Melbourne Consulting and Custom Programs

Specialist Certificate in Clinical Research (Oncology)

 

March/July 2012

Part One: Mon 26, Tue 27, Thu 29, Fri 30 March 2012

Part Two: Mon 09, Tue 10, Wed 11 & Fri 13 July 2012

 

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.

 

Course Objectives

Students who successfully complete this course will: 

 

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.

 

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:

 

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:

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 Trials 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 Trials 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 three participants.  Successful applicants must meet any other costs related to travel and accommodation.

Prizes

Cancer Trials Australia will also provide a prize for the best overall student on the Specialist Certificate in Clinical Research (Oncology) of $500.

 

Course Coordinator Details

Jefford_photo

Associate Professor Michael Jefford

(MBBS, MPH, MHlthServMt, PhD, MRACMA, FRACP)

Associate Professor Michael Jefford is a consultant medical oncologist at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, clinical consultant with the Cancer Information and Support Service (a unit of Cancer Council Victoria) and an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Melbourne.

He completed medical oncology training in 1999. He also holds a PhD from the University of Melbourne (2002) and Masters degrees in Health Services Management (2003) and in Public Health (2006) from Monash University.

Assoc Prof Jefford maintains senior leadership roles in several state and national organisations. Amongst these, he is a member of the Board of Management of BreastScreen Victoria and a member of the Executive Committee of the Victorian Cooperative Oncology Group (Cancer Council Victoria). He is a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Australasian Gastrointestinal Trials Group (AGITG) and the national Psycho-oncology Cooperative Research Group. He chairs the AGITG Quality of Life Committee. He has previously held senior roles with the Medical Oncology Group of Australia and the Specialist Advisory Committee in Medical Oncology (Royal Australasian College of Physicians).

In his seven years at Peter Mac he has been awarded almost $7m in research funding (listed as a Chief / (co) Principal Investigator). This has included funding from the NHMRC, Cancer Australia, beyondblue, Victorian Cancer Agency, state Cancer Councils, the Commonwealth Government, Leukaemia Foundation and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation. His research interests focus on supportive care and patient-centred outcomes and on the management of people with gastrointestinal cancers. He has published over 75 peer-reviewed manuscripts and book chapters and has presented work at several international meetings covering cancer control, clinical oncology and psycho-oncology.

Assoc Prof Jefford has led the development of this program, coordinating the team appointed to deliver different aspects of the course and is coordinating all assessments.

 

Assoc Prof Michael Jefford
Consultant, Medical Oncologist

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Locked Bag 1, A'Beckett Street
East Melbourne, Vic 8006

T: +61 3 9656 1697
F: +61 3 9656 1408
E: michael.jefford@petermac.org
W: www.petermac.org

 

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.

 

Assessment

Final assessment will be based on the following criteria:

Assignment 1 - Online assignment, one short essay and short answer questions, mostly about Human participant protection.

Assignment 2 - Short-answer questions, mostly about Clinical trial design/Good clinical practice.

Assignment 3 - Group-based assignment (elements of a full study protocol).

Examination - Closed book, one hour multiple choice examination (40-50 questions), covering all course content and supplied literature.

Assignment 4 - Short-answer questions, mostly about Critical appraisal of published literature.

On successful completion of four assignments and one multiple-choice examination, a Specialist Certification in Clinical Research (Oncology) will be awarded.

Part one and part two are, together, equivalent to two full-semester subjects.  The amount of contact time is consistent with this.  Similarly, the assessments are equivalent to two full-semester subjects.  Students should anticipate that they will need to spend a total of approximately 160-180 hours of study time commitment for the subject, aside from the contact teaching. 

It is estimated that students will spend around 10-20 hours completing each of assignments one, two, and four.  Assignment one is due two weeks after completion of the part one teaching block.  Assignment two is due six weeks later.  A written, multiple-choice exam will be held on the last day of the second teaching block.  Students should allocate time to study for the examination before and during the part two teaching block (and may wish to use the free day on the Thursday in June).  Assignment three is a small group based assignment, with different groups each presenting elements of a full study protocol.  The presentation will also be made on the last day of the second teaching block.  Assignment four is due three weeks after the completion of the part two teaching block. 

 

Articulation into higher awards

On successful completion of the Specialist Certificate in Clinical Research (Oncology) students will be eligible for 25 points credit towards the planned:

 

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."

 

Course Brochure

2012 Oncology Flyer

2012 Graduate Programs in Clinical Researh Brochure - coming soon

 

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 Management System

Once a student has enrolled they will be issued with a username and password to access ePortal, the Online Learning Management System.

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 ePortal.  In addition, students can upload assignments directly to ePortal for assessment.

Information uploaded to ePortal 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.

 

Venue

Graduate House; 220 Leicester Street, Carlton VIC 3053

 

Accommodation

There is a number of accommodation options near the University of Melbourne.  Please find following a few options to make further enquiries. 

 

2012 Course Fee

The Specialist Certificate in Clinical Research (Oncology) is $4,700.

GST will be applicable for non-award course attendants.

 

2012 Registration

Registration is open now. Closing date for applications is Monday, 27 February 2012.

 

Entry Requirements

The Specialist Certificate in Clinical Research (Oncology) requires an appropriate undergraduate degree plus one year relevant work experience.

 

Application Process

Specialist Certificate applications are managed by the Student Services Team. Visit the How to Apply section for the Application Form and further instructions.

 

For further information contact

Lesley King
Project Manager

Melbourne Consulting and Custom Programs
The University of Melbourne
Level 3, 442 Auburn Road
Hawthorn, Vic 3122 Australia

T: +61 3 9810 3247
F: +61 3 9810 3149
E: oncology@commercial.unimelb.edu.au
W: www.commercial.unimelb.edu.au

 

DISCLAIMER: The information in this website was correct at the time of print. The University reserves the right to make changes as appropriate. Students will be advised of changes as soon as practicable.

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