Cancer Vigilance in Primary Healthcare: Nationwide Series of Courses on Primary Prevention, Screening and Dealing With Anticancer Treatment Complications and Cancer Pain

Abstract

Amount raised: 1 542 720 PLN Background and context: Cancer is the second leading cause of deaths in Poland. In 2015, the malignant cancer registries in Poland received information on over 163,000 new incidence cases and more than 100,000 deaths due to cancer. In 2015, an increase in cancer incidence was observed (by over 4000 new cases). The idea of the program is to enhance skills of primary health care providers (family doctors) to provide primary prevention interventions, encouraging their patients to do screening, and to deal with cancer treatment complications and pain. Aim: The aim of the project is to increase motivation and competence of primary healthcare providers in following areas of cancer control: primary prevention, screening and early detection, taking medical care of patients during and after cancer treatment (i.e., dealing with cancer pain, complications connected with cancer itself, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgical treatment). Strategy/Tactics: The course is divided into three stages (theoretical lectures, practical workshops in small groups and e-learning). Course finishes finished with an exam. The target group are physicians (except for oncologists and dentists) from all over Poland, in particular doctors used in primary health care facilities (minimum 40% of participants), used in medical entities. Content of the course consists of following parts: I. cancer epidemiology, II. primary prevention (European code against cancer, obesity, smoking), III. genetics factors, IV. screening and early detection, V. cancer treatment complications. After completing the courses, participants gets educational points and receive two certificates - certificate of completion for course and certificate of completion for course of treatment of tobacco dependence syndrome, which is required for contracting such treatment with the National Health Fund in Poland. Educational materials for patients were provided to all doctors: 200 brochures (12 Ways to Health. European Code Against Cancer), 200 leaflets on early detection on skin cancer, 150 nicotine dependence tests, 150 motivation to quit smoking tests. Program process: The first phase was conducted through year 2017 and it consisted of 5 trainings (100 participants each), the second phase - small group workshops (up to 16 participants) through year 2018. The third phase e-learning. Costs and returns: Participation in the course is free. All costs combined with organization and participation are covered by EU from the European Social Fund. What was learned: There is a huge need to educate primary health care doctors in providing care to cancer patients during and after oncological treatment. The first part of course (lectures) obtained high evaluation notes from participants. As per their declaration especially important for them was anti-pain treatment and dealing with complications of cancer itself, as well as tobacco dependence treatment and deal with overweight and obesity.