ESTRO meets Asia 2024 - Abstract Book

S114

Interdisciplinary – Education in radiation oncology

ESTRO meets Asia 2024

12

Proffered Paper

A home-grown clinical oncology training program to address the shortage of oncologists in Malaysia.

David Dai-Wee Lee 1 , Adlinda Alip 1 , Aik Hao Ng 1 , Gwo Fuang Ho 1 , Marniza Saad 1 , Ngie Min Ung 1 , Nisha Mohd Shariff 2 , Nur Adila Mokhtar 1 , Nur Fadhlina Abdul Satar 1 , Rozita Abdul Malik 1 , Wan Zamaniah Wan Ishak 1 , Zulaikha Jamalludin 1 1 Clinical Oncology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 2 Clinical Oncology, University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Purpose/Objective:

As clinical oncology continues to evolve, the demand for well-trained professionals is paramount. Malaysia is facing the challenge of ensuring a skilled workforce to meet the rising needs of cancer care. There is an urgent need to devise innovative solutions to address the shortage of oncology experts. Before 2002, Malaysia fully depended on overseas training programs to produce oncologists, which were limited in numbers and this incurred a high cost. We present a comprehensive overview of a pioneering initiative – a home-grown clinical oncology training program in Malaysia. This program aims to bridge the gap between the growing demand for oncology services and the availability of trained professionals, ultimately contributing to enhanced cancer care outcomes in Malaysia.

Material/Methods:

The Master of Clinical Oncology (MCO) offered by the University of Malaya is the main oncology training pathway that is fully conducted in Malaysia. The primary objective of this program is to establish a sustainable framework for clinical oncology education within the Malaysian healthcare system. This program was birthed from a collaboration between the Ministry of Health, the University of Malaya (UM), and the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. The MCO was designed collectively by leading oncologists, educators, and healthcare policymakers. The syllabus was initially based on the United Kingdom Royal College of Radiologists’ higher specialist training program for clinical oncology, with modifications to suit the local context. It incorporates a comprehensive curriculum covering various aspects of oncology, including basic sciences, systemic therapy, radiation therapy, and palliative care. The program spans over 4 years and utilizes a combination of didactic lectures, hands-on clinical rotations, and assessments by experienced oncologists to provide a well-rounded training experience. The program remains contemporary by introducing competency-based assessment in 2011. (1) In addition, candidates also embark on a compulsory research project during the 4-year program. With the expansion of MCO, UM has been organizing regular ‘train the trainer’ workshops since 2022 to support supervisors. Overall, the Master of Clinical Oncology program was incorporated alongside other medical specialties in the National Postgraduate Medical Curriculum in 2021. (2)

Results:

The MCO program began in 2002 with an annual intake of 3 trainees. The intake has expanded to 21 in 2023. From 2002 to 2023, the MCO has produced 98 clinical oncologists. This program is the main contributor that increased the number of oncologists in Malaysia from 39 in the early 2000s to about 150 in 2023. (3) This has enabled the Ministry of Health to increase 5 public hospitals with resident oncologists to 7 hospitals over the past 2 decades, with potential expansions planned in the coming years. Besides clinical services, the increment in