ESMO Course on Advanced Communication Skills for Oncologists

18-20 June 2008
Chesham, Buckinghamshire, UK

The European Society for Medical Oncology, with the support of the ESMO Foundation, is pleased to announce the first ESMO Course on Advanced Communication Skills for Oncologists.

Cancer is a complex disease and as such it requires to be treated by professional cancer specialists. To optimize treatment decisions and care for patient needs, effective communication between patient and physician is crucial.

Talking about sad, bad and difficult issues in cancer is not something that oncologists can leave to chance…

Failure of physicians and cancer patients to communicate properly with each other can lead to confused patients, who leave their consultations unsatisfied. This lack of clear communication disempowers both the patient and the physician, impairing their ability to effectively share and discuss both patient needs and information on treatment and care options and can often lead to increased physician burnout.

Having recognized the great need for oncology professionals to receive proper training in communication, ESMO is offering an intensive program for oncologists who wish to enhance their communication skills when talking to patients and their families.

The course is organized under the leadership of Prof. Lesley Fallowfield, BSc, D.Phil., Director of the Sussex Psychosocial Oncology Group at the Brighton & Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, and it is endorsed by Cancer Research UK.

Potential participants are senior doctors in cancer medicine or surgery with a minimum of 3 years of specialist training.

This three-day residential course is open to a maximum of 25 participants, so APPLY TODAY!

                                           Quality cancer care is more than just a matter of treatment!
                                                                        Communication is crucial!