Clinical Research in Oncology
Description
This subject has been designed to bring together a multi-disciplinary group of candidates (students) and give them a broad understanding of the essential elements / features of successful research activities and research careers in oncology.
Subject Code
CLRS90020
Credit Points
25 points
Generic skills students will develop
Students who successfully complete this subject 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.
Pre-requisites and/or Co-requisites
Nil
Mode of Delivery
The coursework is delivered two by four day sessions with approximately two months between Part One and Two.
Contact Time
48 hours
Assessment
On successful completion of four assignments (inclusive of one hurdle) and one multiple-choice examination, a Specialist Certification in Clinical Research (Oncology) will be awarded.
- Three 3,000 word individual assignments, each worth 25% of the marks for the subject
- One group assignment (15-minute presentation and 10-minute discussion) – hurdle (0%)
- One 1-hour examination worth 25%
Regardless of any other marks, the hurdle requirement must be met before the student is able to pass the subject.
In order to pass this subject, students must achieve a minimum of 50% in each assessment component and meet the hurdle requirement.
It is estimated that students will spend around 10-20 hours completing each of the three individual assignments. Assignment One is due three weeks after completion of the Part One Teaching Block. Assignment Two is due six weeks later. A written, multiple-choice paper 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 hurdle. It 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.
Subject Coordinator
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, Beyond Blue, 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.
Course Fee
The Specialist Certificate in Clinical Research (Oncology) is $4,700 for 2012.
Prescribed Textbook
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.
Online Learning System
For further information contact
Lesley King
Project Manager
School of Melbourne Custom Programs
UoM Commercial Ltd | Commercial Engagement Services for 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
Application Process
Applications are managed by Student Services.
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.