Background
Today, it is estimated that a majority of the world’s new cases of cancer are in LMCs (1), where the shortage of healthcare workers remains severe (2) and where the shortage of clinicians trained in oncology is especially acute.  

Methodology
ASCO and local medical associations jointly organize two-day MCMC trainings in LMCs, using MCMC modules on various tumour types and multidisciplinary principles to create MCMC trainings adapted to each country.  Since 2004, 18 MCMC courses have been held in 16 countries, training about 2,000 physicians.  The course was evaluated using a post-course evaluation questionnaire and an online survey distributed to attendees who were MCMC trained between 2007 and 2010.  

Impact
Up to three years after the course, 70% reported having changed their patient care due to the MCMC course, and of these, 45% cited specific multidisciplinary approaches (such as implementing tumour boards) that had been adopted as a result of the course.

Conclusions
Expanding cancer care capacity in LMCs requires short- and long-term oncologic training among generalists and specialists.  The MCMC suggests that condensed oncologic training can be effective in LMCs among specialists and non-specialists alike, if designed with a knowledgeable local partner and focused on specific learning objectives.

(1) Ferlay J, Shin HR, Bray F, Forman D, Mathers C and Parkin DM.GLOBOCAN 2008, Cancer Incidence and Mortality Worldwide: IARC CancerBase No. 10 [Internet].  Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2010. Available from: http://globocan.iarc.fr
(2) World Health Organization, World Health Report 2006

Written by Vanessa Eaton