The 2010 Curriculum has been approved by the GMC (formerly the PMETB).
2010 Clinical Oncology Specialty Training Curriculum
Appendix 1 - Clinical Oncology Syllabus
Appendix 2 - Underpinning Scientific Knowledge - Core Training
Appendix 3 - FRCR Examinations
There has been a major revision of the curriculum to try to make it more user-friendly and to incorporate more detailed sections on how training should be organised, trainee assessment and the roles and responsibilities of clinical and educational supervisors. The syllabus which covers the learning outcomes that a trainee should be achieving during training are defined for each stage of training and each tumour group. Training is divided into intermediate (pre Final FRCR) and advanced training (Final FRCR).
The major changes to the syllabus include:
- Common competences (including communication skills, leadership, team working, management, ethics, medical law, clinical governance, audit, education) are described throughout training
- New Introductory and Oncological Emergencies Sections for new trainees
- The tumour site specific competencies are clearly defined and the level of competence required at each stage of training depends on the incidence of the tumour, i.e. trainees will be expected to gain more competencies for more common tumours at an earlier stage of training
- The Final FRCR syllabus is defined by the competencies that should be achieved by the end of intermediate training
- Inclusion of the First FRCR syllabus
- For each competency the method by which it might be assessed is described, e.g. workplace based assessment, FRCR Examination
- An ARCP grid which defines the minimum requirements for a trainee to progress into the next year of training.
During the 6 months after the introduction of the new Curriculum (i.e. before 31st January 2011) trainees who wish to do so will be able to switch from the 2007 to the 2010 curriculum. The trainee should discuss this with his/her educational supervisor and training programme director and notify the College of any change.
Dr Di Gilson
Chairman, Specialty Training Advisory Committee, Clinical Oncology