International Training Course Research Articles

Students training on virtual medical linear accelerator

At the Czech Technical University in Prague, we have installed virtual software environment simulating a radiotherapy treatment room with a medical linear accelerator (software VERT and VERT Physics by Vertual Ltd., United Kingdom). It is possible to simulate patient treatment and physics QA (quality assurance) measurements in virtual reality. This is beneficial for our students and teachers because there is no radiation present while doing the exercises and it is accessible at any time, unlike medical linear accelerators at hospitals. For our department, we have chosen the TrueBeam model by Varian Medical Systems, USA. The linear accelerator can be operated by the user in the same way as at the hospital, including the hardware pendant. There is a selection of patient treatment plans, CT images and RT structures, all of which can be visualised inside the treatment room, also during beam on, simulating the situation inside the patient while irradiating the tumour. Any DICOM files, even from another manufacturer’s linac (linear accelerator) or treatment planning system, can be imported into VERT. Apart from this, there is also an imaging interface and cone-beam CT interface showing options for patient setup. Another part of the software is a physics module with various phantoms and detectors for dosimetry as well as geometry tests. For example, a large water tank can be used for relative dosimetry of photon beams (percent depth doses and profiles), a smaller water phantom can be used for reference dosimetry or chamber cross calibration according to the TRS 398 (1) or IPEM (2) protocol. The results of measurements are based on look-up tables coming from real beam data, so dependence on the depth of measurement, field size, temperature and pressure and other parameters can be demonstrated. Moreover, it is possible to introduce many types of errors into the linac, such as jaw position, laser, or collimator miscalibration, and show how these errors propagate to patient irradiation and how they can be detected by QA tools. This paper is a short report on how this system has been used at our university and how it might be used in modern learning, pointing out its advantages and drawbacks. At the 16th Workshop on European Collaboration in Higher Education on Radiological and Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Protection (CHERNE) it was proposed that this virtual system could be used for an international student training course on medical physics in radiotherapy within the CHERNE network. This course might contain theoretical lectures with demonstrations on the virtual linac, practical exercises on the virtual linac and visits to hospitals (a photon radiotherapy centre, the Thomayer University Hospital in particular, and a proton therapy centre).

First international training course on conservation of Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations

First international training course on conservation of Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations

Developing Prehospital Care in India–A Potential Model for Low- and Middle-income Countries

Introduction:Road traffic accidents and natural disasters cause significant numbers of deaths and life-changing injuries in low & middle-income countries. Most of these countries have limited resources for pre-hospital care and training. In 2021, there were 155,622 deaths due to road accidents and >18,000 railway-related deaths. Natural and manmade disasters also contribute to high numbers of serious injuries and deaths in the region. India is the pilot for developing an international training course for prehospital trauma care.Method:A review of pre-hospital care training and ambulance services in Tamil Nadu and Kerala states of India was carried out in 2019. An international workshop on developing pre-hospital care in India was held in Chennai in October 2022. The workshop included experts from UK and India and 52 practitioners from various parts of India.Results:India has developed a country-wide ambulance service sub-contracted to private providers under a public-private partnership initiative and in addition, there are private and charitable providers. In-transit care and resuscitation are limited and the vehicles are primarily a transport mechanism with a scoop-and-run policy. Infrastructure, traffic congestion, rural and hard-to-reach areas, poorly equipped ambulance services and variations in training and scope of practice contribute to the challenges of providing high quality pre-hospital care.Conclusion:There is a need for high-quality pre-hospital care training, regulation and continuing professional development within the pre-hospital care sector. Delivery of pre-hospital care could be reinforced by wider involvement of doctors such as General Practitioners and other allied health care professionals. It was agreed by all delegates and speakers that an international course on pre-hospital care based upon an existing UK course from the Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, edited to take account of India’s current resources, should be piloted in Chennai in 2023.

Hands on wet lab and live surgery training in PCNL: Any impact to surgical skills of attending surgeons?

The clinical value and efficiency of hands-on training courses in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) remains undocumented. During the last 9 years, a two-day international intensive hands-on training course in fluoroscopic guided prone PCNL is taking place in our department on a monthly basis. Course includes wet lab training in the porcine model and live surgery training. In this work we report the outcomes of a survey send to course participants questioning the impact of the course to their clinical practice. A survey consisting of 26 questions was distributed online to a total of 91 trainees that had completed the course. Comparison of pre and post course surgical practices was performed using the "N-1" Chi-squared test. A total of 64 trainees responded to our online survey with 55.6% and 41.3% reporting a modest or major impact to their practice accordingly. Notable changes in puncture and dilation technique were evidenced while a uniform reduction in puncture and operative times was documented. 79.4% responded that the course increased the safety of their procedure, 73% that it reduced operating times, 39.7% that increased their stone free rates, 23.8% that reduced their complications and 23.8% that induced to change their instrumentation with respect of that they were using in the past. Subgroup analysis including only well experienced surgeons revealed a similar impact to their practice. In the proper setting, an intensive hands-on PCNL course can have a significant impact on attending physicians. Participation to such events even for experienced surgeons should be encouraged.

Culture, Education and Conflict: The Relevance of Critical Conservation Pedagogies for Post-conflict Afghanistan

ABSTRACT There has been considerable focus on the widespread destruction of cultural heritage in Afghanistan since the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas by the Taliban in 2001 and much concern over the future for heritage in the region on the return of a Taliban regime in 2021, yet comparatively little has been written on the fate of Afghanistan’s national collection of paintings, manuscripts, and works on paper. Through a quasi-experimental study and using a combination of evaluation methodologies, this paper discusses whether the overall impact achieved in conservation capacity-building and training schemes in conflict zones justify the cost and risk of operating in such regions. Using an international collaborative conservation training course carried out in 2020 at the Afghan National Gallery in Kabul as a case study, it discusses the appropriateness and effectiveness of the signature pedagogies in conservation when working in a conflict scenario, and highlights the limitations present in conservation training programmes in post-conflict scenarios and the need for sustainability of such programmes. The results of the study found that common constructivist-focused, Eurocentric conservation pedagogies may not be effective for training museum professionals in regions where this approach is unfamiliar.

Agricultural extension capacity development in developing countries: an international training course at Michigan State University

ABSTRACT Purpose The purpose of this paper is to share the initiatives of development and offering of an International Agricultural Extension training course by Michigan State University Extension (MSUE). MSUE is a global leader in agricultural research, education, and extension and actively shares knowledge and technologies worldwide. Design/Methodology/Approach Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, this in-person course rapidly transformed to an online one-week short course for global participants working in agricultural extension. Findings There is a great demand for developing extension expertise and advisory services in line with the emergence of new tools and technologies. The use of ICT was at the forefront in sharing knowledge and disseminating technologies. Practical Implications Several participants were interested in organising similar courses in their institutions and piloting some of the programmes that they learned. Theoretical Implication The short course designed and offered during 2020 will be further enhanced and offered with a focus on outcome and responses received through a separate survey. Originality/Value This paper focuses on the training and capacity building of the agricultural extension workers from developing countries and the US land-grant model of agricultural extension shared by MSUE.

Feasibility and self-assessment of case-based learning in an international endoscopic stone surgery training course.

Feasibility and self-assessment of case-based learning in an international endoscopic stone surgery training course.

Shifting Horizons: A Literature Review of Research Data Management Train-the-Trainer Models for Library and Campus-Wide Research Support Staff in Canadian Institutions

Objective – In consideration of emerging national Research Data Management (RDM) policy and infrastructure, this literature review seeks answers to the following questions: 1) What is the most effective way for a Canadian research university to build capacity among library and campus-wide research support staff, with a view towards providing coordinated RDM support services for our researcher community?2) What international training models and course offerings are available and appropriate for a local context?3) What national guidelines and best practices for pedagogical design and delivery can be adapted for a local context? Methods – This literature review synthesizes a total of 13 sources: 9 articles, 2 book chapters, and 2 whitepapers. The whitepapers were selected for a narrative literature review because of their focus on case studies detailing train-the-trainer models. Within the 13 sources we found 14 key case studies. This review serves as a supplement to the 2017 CARL Portage Training Expert Group white paper, “Research Data Management Training Landscape in Canada,” the focus of which was to identify RDM training gaps in order to recommend a coordinated approach to RDM training in a national environment. Results – The narrative review of case studies revealed three thematic areas. Firstly, pedagogical challenges were identified, including the need to target training to RDM support staff such as librarians and researchers, as they comprise distinct groups of trainees with divergent disciplinary vocabularies and incentives for training. Secondly, the case studies cover a broad range of pedagogical models including single or multiple sessions, self-directed or instructor-led, in-person or online instruction, and a hybrid of the two. Finally, RDM training also emerged as a key factor in community building within library staff units, among service units on campus, and with campus research communities. Conclusion – RDM training programs at local institutions should be guided by a set of principles aligned with the training methods, modes of assessment, and infrastructure development timeline outlined in a national training strategy. When adapting principles and training strategies to a local context, the following trends in the literature should be considered: librarians and researchers must have meaningful incentives to undertake training in RDM or to join a community of practice; disciplinary-specific instruction is preferable to general instruction; a librarian’s own training opportunities will influence their ability to provide discipline-specific RDM instruction to researchers; in-person training opportunities improve learning retention and produce beneficial secondary effects, whereas online instruction is most effective when paired with an in-person component; generalized third-party RDM training should be adapted to local context to be meaningful. Future directions for RDM training will integrate into open access and digital scholarship training, and into cross-disciplinary, open science communities of practice.

Learning Outcomes of an International Training Course on Mechanical Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Device Use for Emergency Medicine Residents

Background: The present study was conducted to assess the learning outcomes of mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation device training course for emergency medicine residents from Laos. The course was part of a collaborative project among Tsukuba University in Japan, the University of Health Sciences in Laos, and Khon Kaen University in Thailand. Objective: To evaluate the learning outcomes a mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation device course for emergency medicine residents. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in emergency medicine residents from Laos who participated in a training course on the use of mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation devices, which took place between January and March 2020 at the Srinagarind Hospital emergency department (ED). Assessment exams for individually with standard checklists for Thais’ emergency medicine residents. Results: A total of eight emergency medicine residents from Laos were enrolled. The mean age was 33.7+3.5 years, and 62.5% (n = 5) of the participants were female. We found that participants’ mean score had increased from 4 to 8 points after the training course (p = 0.010). Participants rated the ease of the procedure as 8 out of 10 (1: very difficult). Conclusion: The mechanical cardiopulmonary resuscitation device training course was successful in terms of sharing both medical knowledge and equipment management techniques. Keywords: Internship and Residency, Laos, Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Emergency medicine

OSTEOLOGICAL MATERIALS FROM THE HOUSEHOLD PIT 6 AT THE MEZHYRICH SETTLEMENT: INTERPRETATION OF THE FINDS

The Upper Palaeolithic settlement of Mezhyrich is located on the territory of Mezhyrich village of Kaniv district, Cherkasy region. The settlement is located on the cape formed by the valleys of the rivers Ros’ and Rosava. Palaeolithic cultural layers of the site lies 2.5—3 m below the modern surface. The site is radiocarbon dated to 15—14.3 kyr BP. using bones of several animal species, including mammoth. The remains of the structures and objects are well-preserved in the cultural layer, they contain bone, antler and ivory.
 In the last years pit 6 is household object of a particular interest. It belongs to the second household unit and is situated to the south of the second dwelling’s structure. The microstratigraphic studies of the object indicate three episodes of sediment accumulation in the pit, which correspond to the three cultural horizons of the site. As a result of the excavation we have a bright series of bone, tusk and antler artifacts. According to the cross-sections of the north and east walls, the pit is a lens-shaped (lens-like) depression with a diameter of about two meters and a depth of one meter. There were large mammoth bones by the edges of its filling.
 For the study we have chosen samples of osteological material which bear traces of human processing. As a result of the zooarchaeological analysis several main categories of the material were chosen (identified): blanks of mammoth ribs, bone tools of long bones of small/medium-sized mammals and ornaments of teeth. It allowed to find out some technological traits and to deepen the understanding of household and everyday life of Upper Palaeolithic hunters-gatherers from the Mezhyrich site. The study of the collection allows to widen the description of this site and to conclude about the life of its inhabitants.
 The research materials were used in the creation of the international training course «Nature and Society in Prehistoric Europe», supported by the European Union under the House of Europe programme: https://houseofeurope.org.ua/en.

Customized Low-Cost Model for Hands-on Training in Intraoperative Ultrasound for Neurosurgeons: Our Experience and Review of Literature

Practical ultrasound (US) training is essential to overcome operator dependence and optimize image acquisition. For intraoperative neurosurgical application, in addition to hand-eye coordination, ultrasound training should incorporate training for visuomotor and visuospatial skills, as well as 3-dimensional depth orientation. Our agar-based, low-cost model has been developed keeping these skill sets in mind. We have described preparation of an agar-based, low-cost customizable model using commonly available echogenic objects as targets, which allows the clinician to perform various training tasks like depth insonation, target localization, and biopsy and resection cavity insonation. This low-cost model was implemented for internal training and validated at an international training course. The cost of the model was 4 USD, and its preparation time was <1 hour. It can be used for performing multiple US training tasks and provides realistic images and good tactile feedback. However, the model is perishable and artifacts are occasionally visible. Feedback survey results showed that >80% of participants felt the model was useful for US training. Our customizable low-cost US training model is an effective and efficient tool for US training with high acceptance by neurosurgeons. It faithfully mimics various intraoperative tasks and helps clinicians gain confidence to use intraoperative ultrasound as an adjunct during the procedures. This model can be used by individual surgeons/departments for ongoing training, as well as for larger training courses and workshops.

Dealing with multiple hazards and threats on cultural heritage sites: an assessment of 80 case studies

PurposeCultural heritage (CH) sites are not only important components of a country’s identity but can also be important drivers of tourism. However, an increasing number of extreme events associated with the impacts of climate change, natural hazards and human-induced threats are posing significant problems in conserving and managing CH worldwide. Consequently, improved climate change adaptation and enhanced hazard/threat mitigation strategies have become critical (but to-date under-researched) considerations. The purpose of this paper is to identify the key hazards and threats to CH sites, the most common types of risks to CH and the strategies being adopted to mitigate or even eradicate those risks.Design/methodology/approachThis paper reviews 80 CH case studies from around the world, which have been presented at a UNESCO International Training Course between 2006 and 2016. The case studies cover 45 different countries and provide practical insights into the key challenges being encountered in a variety of “at risk” locations.FindingsThe analysis assesses the key natural hazards and human-induced threats to the sites, an overview of the typical impacts to the tangible components of heritage and identifies the types of strategies being adopted to mitigate the risks, some of which could be transferred across cultural and geographical contexts.Originality/valueThe paper provides a wealth of useful information related to how challenges faced by CH sites might be addressed in the future.

Acute Heart Failure Advanced Life Support: Guideline-Based Interactive Training for Providers

Introduction There are over one million hospitalizations per year in the United States (US) for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). Unfortunately, there is often a delay in initiating guideline directed medical therapy (GDMT) and other interventions resulting in prolonged length of stay, increased readmission rate, and higher mortality. To date, no formal program has been established on education to streamline heart failure GDMT for US providers. Our center implemented Acute Heart Failure Advanced Life Support (AHFALS), a novel international educational training course to address this deficit. AHFALS, developed by Sociedade de Cardiologia do Estado de San Paulo, has been successfully implemented throughout Brazil and Portugal. This four hour course provides a standardized, algorithmic approach integrating current GDMT for management of ADHF utilizing interactive patient simulation with manikins similar to Advanced Cardiac Life (ACLS). The course teaches appropriate management across the continuum of care; from the emergency department to inpatient care with transition to outpatient care. Hypothesis Course participants will have improved knowledge of ADHF management, improvement in post-test course scores compared with pre-test course scores, and a high level of participant satisfaction upon course completion. Methods Participants received course materials via email and completed a pre-test online. Upon completion of a half-day course taught by trained instructors, the post-test was administered in written form and scored. A score of 70% or greater was considered passing, resulting in course certification. Participants were given a satisfaction survey, with a follow-up survey 6 months post-course completion. Results 115 internal medicine, emergency medicine, hospitalists, cardiology fellows, and advanced practice providers participated in the course and completed the pre/post-test and participant satisfaction survey. There was a statistically significant difference between pre (Avg 55.47%, STD 16.09) and post-test (Avg 73%, STD 11.21) exam scores with a p-value of Conclusions Preliminary data show high provider satisfaction, improvement in knowledge base and level of comfort in management of ADHF across the continuum of care. We anticipate more providers completing AHFALS within our institution and throughout local hospitals. Our hope is to expand the AHFALS course statewide and eventually nationwide and utilize it to train house staff, cardiology fellows and other providers managing ADHF. AHFALS will likely become recognized as an educational tool with credentialing similar to ACLS. Data collection is ongoing along with course expansion to determine the impact on patient outcomes.

A transformative university learning experience contributes to sustainability attitudes, skills and agency

Given that graduates of higher education institutions will be the future decision makers addressing sustainability challenges, this study assesses the effects of a transdisciplinary university learning program on sustainability attitudes, skills, and agency. We investigated these variables with a sample of 117 previous participants in the International Training Course on Organic Agriculture, which took place in Uganda. To frame the analysis, concepts of sustainability learning and transformative learning were transferred into a research instrument, building on the Graduate Study Cooperative survey, the Transformative Learning Survey, and the Environmental Attitudes Inventory. The findings showed that the training course provided a transformative experience that positively predicted 1) environmental attitudes; 2) professional and personal competencies at graduation; 3) the feeling of being able to personally influence sustainability and the perception that one's employer has an influence on sustainability. No significant relation between the transformative experience and engagement in voluntary work was found. While ex post facto studies based on self-reported perceptions have limitations, this is—to our knowledge—the first study to apply the Transformative Learning Survey combined with other instruments to a specific learning intervention. By showing that transformative university learning experiences can contribute to sustainability attitudes, skills, and agency, the findings support the case for transdisciplinary course designs rooted in real-world sustainability challenges. Further research will be necessary to firmly establish the sustainability learning potential of different educational designs.

From a Competent to an Experienced Family Medicine Instructor (According to the Results of the Training Course «Leonardo EURACT. Level 2». Jerusalem, Israel, 2018)

The article presents an overview of the event and the experience of participating in the international training course for family medicine teachers «Leonardo EURACT Course Level 2 for Trainers in Family Medicine», 13–16 October 2018, Jerusalem (Israel).

Education and Training: Key Factors in Global Occupational and Environmental Health.

Introduction:Education and training in Occupational and Environmental Health (OEH) play an important role in building global capacity and contribute to safer working conditions. The shortage of occupational health professionals, the lack of knowledge and a high number of occupational accidents and diseases stress the demand for providing further education and training in OEH. This need is especially urgent in low and middle-income countries. Three international courses on OEH provide valuable insights on how to develop successful trainings in the field and how to contribute to the creation of healthy and safe workplaces.Methodology and Results:The courses “Global Occupational and Environmental Determinants of Diseases: a multidisciplinary and multicultural approach for prevention” (University of Brescia, Italy), “Advanced International Training Course in OEH” (Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok, Thailand) and “Teaching interventions crossing borders” (Ludwig-Maximillians-Universität, Munich, Germany) offer a unique networking opportunity for health professionals from low-, middle- and high-income countries. Three main characteristics of learning were identified as successful for adult learning in OEH: Interdisciplinary learning allows exchanging skills and knowledge and therefore closes gaps between the several disciplines within OEH. Experiential learning enables participants to reflect on their personal experiences, e.g. through workplace visits. Finally, active learning empowers the learner to take the leading role in the learning process using e.g. problem- or project-based learning approaches.Conclusion:Training and education in OEH should become a higher priority by including it in the standard public health and medical curricula. For this, train the trainer approaches are essential in many countries. Any OEH training should follow the interdisciplinary, experiential and interactive learning approach and should be accessible to participants from all regions.

Lamb larynx model for training in endoscopic and CO2 laser-assisted surgeries for benign laryngotracheal obstructions.

With adequate indication and meticulous execution, endoscopic procedures can efficiently treat a subset of adult and pediatric benign laryngotracheal stenosis and obstructions, but these procedures are precise and very demanding. The difference between a successful and a failed surgery, with potentially debilitating side effects, resides in small details. The learning curve is long and very few centers worldwide have a sufficient case load making adequate training difficult. While indications and concepts of endoscopic procedures can be learned in books and by observing trained colleagues, the dexterity and the precise realization need to be practiced, ideally not initially on patients. We describe here the lamb model system for the initial training in such procedures. We provide a step-by-step guide for endoscopic approaches intended to treat pathologies such as laryngomalacia, bilateral vocal fold paralysis, posterior glottic stenosis, and laryngotracheal clefts. The lamb model system does not pose ethical issues, and it is easy to obtain and to handle. It was used during an international training course for laryngotracheal stenosis by novice and advanced airway surgeons. It was unanimously judged as relevant and useful by the participants.

Oiled Wildlife Response Training, OWRT: An International training course for readiness and preparedness in oiled wildlife response

During an oil spill, the response to oiled wildlife is a highly publicized and scrutinized activity. When oil threatens wildlife, there is high public and media interest due to the high intrinsic value and vulnerability of the natural environment and wildlife within. The effectiveness and speed of an oiled wildlife response can significantly influence media coverage and the overall public perception of the impacts of a spill and the effectiveness of a spill response. Wild base, Massey University, New Zealand and the Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, University of California at Davis, USA, have teamed up to write and deliver the world's first University-led on-line and face to face oiled wildlife response training courses (OWRT) for the international market. World leaders in higher education and oiled wildlife research, Massey University and UC Davis are the only two universities in the world with comprehensive oiled wildlife readiness and response teams. The OWRT courses on offer allow for multiple pathways to be undertaken to meet specific organisational oiled wildlife response needs from training entry-level personnel in rehabilitation, field operations or facility development, to team leaders in planning and preparation and managers of an oiled wildlife response. Theoretical courses are delivered online utilizing modern and interactive technology, with face-to-face delivery of practical skills. Courses have been developed using internationally recognised good practice standards, based on intended learning outcomes, ensuring specific skills necessary for key roles in a comprehensive readiness program. Having trained and in-house oiled wildlife response staff expands your organisations response and readiness capabilities. When the world is watching, speed is critical to both protect wildlife and to foster a positive public perception. www.owrt.org

How Can We Improve Education of Breast Surgeons Across Europe?

European Board of Surgery Qualification in Breast Surgery (EBSQ in BS): phase 1-eligibility assessment (CV, logbook, references); phase 2- test; phase 3- oral examination with 2 clinical cases and 1 critical review of academic paper. The applicant must hold a current license to practice as a surgeon (general or plastic or gynaecologist), demonstrate work for one year in a breast surgery unit with at least 150 new primary breast cancer cases per year, attended at least one national/ international training course in breast surgery and has attended at least one well recognized international congress. The applicant should present a signed log book for breast surgery with application; published either one paper or book chapter on breast disease Conclusions 1. The need for certified breast units: Standardised techniques by specialist breast surgeons across Europe should be the aim. 2. No man'™s land. Across Europe oncoplastic reconstruction is performed by specialist breast, general or plastic surgeons, sometimes in collaboration with each other. There may be dispute as who should or should not be involved. This needs to be addressed. 3. Oncoplastic reconstruction technique expansion. Significant expansion in number, variety and complexity of available techniques is a fact. A good example would be a 6-fold increase together with a low rate of complications in some Eastern European countries over the last decade 4. CME. European breast surgeons want to improve their skills, as evidenced by fully or overbooked ESSO-endorsed breast surgery courses and other high quality workshops. Applications for the European Examination in Breast Surgery (EBSQBS) continue to increase.

Challenges in the estimation of Net SURvival: The CENSUR working survival group

BackgroundNet survival, the survival probability that would be observed, in a hypothetical world, where the cancer of interest would be the only possible cause of death, is a key indicator in population-based cancer studies. Accounting for mortality due to other causes, it allows cross-country comparisons or trends analysis and provides a useful indicator for public health decision-making. The objective of this study was to show how the creation and formalization of a network comprising established research teams, which already had substantial and complementary experience in both cancer survival analysis and methodological development, make it possible to meet challenges and thus provide more adequate tools, to improve the quality and the comparability of cancer survival data, and to promote methodological transfers in areas of emerging interest. MethodThe Challenges in the Estimation of Net SURvival (CENSUR) working survival group is composed of international researchers highly skilled in biostatistics, methodology, and epidemiology, from different research organizations in France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Slovenia, and Canada, and involved in French (FRANCIM) and European (EUROCARE) cancer registry networks. ResultsThe expected advantages are an interdisciplinary, international, synergistic network capable of addressing problems in public health, for decision-makers at different levels; tools for those in charge of net survival analyses; a common methodology that makes unbiased cross-national comparisons of cancer survival feasible; transfer of methods for net survival estimations to other specific applications (clinical research, occupational epidemiology); and dissemination of results during an international training course. ConclusionThe formalization of the international CENSUR working survival group was motivated by a need felt by scientists conducting population-based cancer research to discuss, develop, and monitor implementation of a common methodology to analyze net survival in order to provide useful information for cancer control and cancer policy. A “team science” approach is necessary to address new challenges concerning the estimation of net survival.