International 06 - Building Radiation Capacity in Africa through Collaborations in Research and Training - Voices from ASTRO and AORTIC Members

Moderator(s)

• 

  Surbhi Grover, MD, MPH

  University of Pennsylvania Health System
  Philadelphia, PA, United States
• 

  Hannah Ayettey Anie, MD

  National Centre for Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine
  Accra, Greater Ac

In 2015, the Global Task Force on Radiotherapy for Cancer Control and the resultant Lancet Oncology Commission on Global Radiotherapy quantified the challenge and issued a five-point "Call for Action." As policy and funding investment translate into improvements in equipment access, the availability of qualified health professionals become conspicuously obvious as the rate limiting barrier to access. The training of radiation oncologists, therapists and medical physicists with competencies matching the demand of current practices require expert teachers and resources that are often in short supply. The building of a work force that is capable for clinical research is a necessity to support change and innovate for the future. Strategies for talent retention need to be considered during training to ensure investment in human resources translate into an engaged workforce. Collaborative efforts between LMIC and HIC institutions, carefully designed can provide laudable impact. It is anticipated that professional organizations can play a catalyst role through knowledge sharing and mobilization of their constituents. In this session, we will use case studies of LMIC-HIC collaborations in research and training with a focus on the African continent, to illustrate design solutions that have shown efficacy in building radiation quality and capacity. We will highlight enablers and strategies used to overcome barriers, as well as the importance of suitable evaluation programs to capture their impact. The session will conclude with a discussion on how professional societies such as ASTRO, AORTIC and its members can create enhanced synergy toward capacity building in radiation oncology.

Presentations:

• 5:00 PM – 5:02 PM ET

  Introductions
  

  Speaker: Surbhi Grover, MD, MPH – University of Pennsylvania Health System
• 5:02 PM – 5:14 PM ET

  Research and Training Capacity Building Grants for LMIC - D43 and Its Impact
  

  Speaker: Kosj Yamoah, MD, PhD – H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute
• 5:14 PM – 5:26 PM ET

  Cervical Cancer - Education and Training for LMIC
  

  Speaker: Anuja Jhingran, MD, BS, FASTRO – MD Anderson Cancer Center
• 5:26 PM – 5:38 PM ET

  Ensuring Trainees are Capable and Motivated to "Ask the Right Questions" - Clinical Research Mentorship for Residents
  

  Speaker: Nwamaka Lasebikan, MBBS – University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu
• 5:38 PM – 5:50 PM ET

  On Growing Mentoring Skills
  

  Speaker: Rebecca Wong, MB, ChB, MS – Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
• 5:50 PM – 6:00 PM ET

  Questions and Answers
  

  Speaker: Hannah Ayettey Anie, MD – National Centre for Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine