A Model Oncologic Emergency Medicine Curriculum for Residency Training

• Published in: The Journal of emergency medicine 2021-09, Vol.61 (3), p.330-335
• Main Authors: Wattana, Monica K., MD, Lipe, Demis N., MD, MS, Coyne, Christopher J., MD, MPH, Shafer, Sarah, MD, Brock, Patricia, MD, Alagappan, Kumar, MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Emergency; emergency medicine; oncologic curriculum; oncologic emergencies
• ISSN: 0736-4679; 2352-5029
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2021.02.037

AbstractBackground Emergency medicine (EM) resident training in oncologic emergencies is limited, and significant gaps have been identified. Although 90% of emergency medicine residency program directors recognize the importance of residency training in oncologic emergencies, there is no standardized oncologic emergency curriculum. Objective We propose a focused oncologic EM curriculum that serves as a complement to existing EM didactics curriculums to prepare EM residents to recognize and manage the most common oncologic emergencies. It will also allow for familiarization with constantly evolving therapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor cellular therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Discussion This curriculum consists of 10 hours of didactic instruction, which can be incorporated into an already existing didactic curriculum. The curriculum encompasses education on the recognition, rapid diagnosis, and management of oncologic emergencies, with the goal of improving the EM resident's understanding of cancer complications. The suggested topics can be delivered in a variety of methods, allowing for flexible integration in an already existing emergency education curriculum. The proposed curriculum should be introduced during the first postgraduate year and then in the second or third year of the residency to reinforce the learning points. Conclusions Our proposal of a focused, standardized 10 hour program curriculum aims to help to fill the gaps in knowledge of oncologic emergencies. To assist in wide dissemination and standardization of these curriculum topics, outlines for each module are given in the article and we also propose creation of open access online lectures and content to be shared for education purposes.