City Cancer Challenge Foundation (C/Can) launches Quality Improvement of Cancer Care Systems, a second TeleECHO™ programme for health professionals focused on addressing needs in all nine C/Can cities.
Building on last year’s partnership that produced a series of virtual TeleECHO™ sessions that has enabled cancer care professionals in C/Can cities to exchange with international experts and each other, C/Can is again teaming up with Project ECHO to look at ways to improve cancer care systems.
“Quality Improvement of Cancer Care Systems is facilitated by international and local experts and focuses on sharing best practices, providing practical solutions based on case studies, collaborative problem solving, backed up by peer-to-peer support. C/Can will be engaging a learning community of 162 city stakeholders across 24 sessions with the support of a cohort of renowned experts between September and December, in English and Spanish,” says Isabel Mestres, C/Can Public Policy and Partnerships Development Director.
Through the programme, participants will increase their understanding of up-to-date, evidence-based quality cancer care policies, acquire practical knowledge on successful strategies to advance specific cancer care policies and contribute to an international network of experts within their field by sharing experiences and best practices.
Project ECHO (Extension of Community Healthcare Outcomes), was started in 2003 by Dr Sanjeev Arora, a liver disease specialist in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to improve his patients’ access to local specialists. Project ECHO has since developed the ECHO model™, which allows community health providers to learn best practices for chronic disease management based on expert advice and case-based learning. Project ECHO aims to impact one billion lives by 2025 by working with organisations, like C/Can, around the world to replicate the ECHO model™.
Learning community
The programme is aimed at specific members of the multidisciplinary teams in each C/Can city particularly those related to the departments of pathology, radiotherapy and to nursing in cancer care.
In each C/Can city, the City Manager will identify a Technical Lead for each of the three modules of the programme and together they will select up to six (6) participants to create the City Group of Participants. C/Can strongly believes that by providing spaces for sharing knowledge, participants will be able to improve their skills, bring value to their communities and strengthen their networks.
Three TeleECHOTM leadership programmes
Building on the success of the 2020 TeleECHOTM programme, and responding to the needs of C/Can cities, the 2021 edition will consist of three programmes that will be delivered in English and Spanish:
- Quality Improvement of Pathology Laboratories for Cancer Diagnosis (2nd September – 22nd October)
Delivered in partnership with the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) this international programme will provide guided practice and ongoing mentorship during the implementation phase of the standardised Pathology Laboratory Good Practices Manual Guidelines, a framework assisting pathology laboratories to begin implementing a Quality System. “Through this programme, participants will be directly supported by experts to implement and adapt the guidelines to reflect their own local realities, while maintaining the fundamental elements that will ensure meeting quality requirements.” Dr Dan Milner, Chief Medical Officer, ASCP
- Nursing in Cancer Care (8th September – 27th October)
Delivered in partnership with the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC), this international online programme will help to strengthen the leadership capacity of nurses providing cancer care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This TeleECHOTM programme encourages oncology nurses to develop their leadership skills through highly interactive, live virtual sessions, as Dr Patsy Yates, President, ISNCC explains: “Facilitated by international experts, the programme emphasises learning that is practical and immediately useful through the sharing of best practices, case-based learning, collaborative problem solving and peer-to-peer support.”
- Radiotherapy Technology Procurement and Maintenance (11th October – 1st December)
Delivered with experts designated by the European Society for Radiotherapy & Oncology (ESTRO), the Global Coalition for Radiotherapy (GCR), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the technology industry, this international programme will support city stakeholders to strengthen their capacities to successfully drive the process of procuring radiotherapy technology and ensuring its maintenance. “Through this programme, participants will be supported to promote good practice for the procurement and maintenance of radiotherapy technology,” explains PhD. Rodolfo Alfonso Laguardia (Taskforce Technical Lead) Prof. of Medical Physics, University of La Habana, Cuba; Medical Physics Advisor, Grupo Nacional de Oncología.
Building an international network of healthcare professionals
The programme aims at building an international network of healthcare professionals that can contribute to C/Can cities with their skills. This TeleECHOTM programme is not a one-time initiative, but it is expected to be followed up with targeted training and opportunities for learning and professional development for its participants.
Furthermore, participants will be connected with international benchmark associations in the field of cancer care like the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC), the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP), the European Society for Radiotherapy & Oncology (ESTRO), and the Global Coalition for Radiotherapy (GCR),
The Quality Improvement of Cancer Care Systems TeleECHOTM programme will connect local leaders with peers from around the world in real-time. It will also allow consultation with highly experienced international and local experts, access to real-world case studies, and being part of a global network of like-minded professionals regardless of location.
Learn more about the programme!
For more information, please contact Catalina Muller, C/Can Capacity Development Coordinator, at: muller@citycancerchallenge.org
