IPOS News

Project: IPOS Capacity-Building in Psycho-Oncology ECHO

Disseminating Evidence-Based Practices in Psycho-Oncology in Africa

To Improve Cancer Prevention and Cancer Care

STATUS:                               Temporary Part-Time

[Days] [17.5 hours per week over 18 months]

[Start date: Feb 2022]

LIEU OF POSITION:                      International Psycho-Oncology Society

NATURE OF THE POSITION:

This position is funded through a donation from the Friends of Psycho-Oncology in Africa (FPOA). Under the supervision of the Steering Committee of the IPOS Capacity-Building in Psycho-Oncology ECHO, the incumbent will assume program coordination. The overall program aims to disseminate evidence-based practices in psycho-oncology in Africa to improve cancer prevention and cancer care – as mandated by the World Health Organization (WHO). The Jimmie Holland ECHO Program Coordinator role will involve:

-advertising the IPOS ECHO to recruit oncology health care professionals that would be trained in the program (i.e., applicants);

-recruitment coordination, including receiving the applications; organizing the applications; reviewing basic adequacy of the applications based on pre-identified criteria;

-coordinating the evaluation process of applicants to the ECHO, including review scores and coordinating interviews, and preparing submission to the research ethics committee;

-scheduling and coordinating ECHO sessions, including planning lecturers for ECHO and interfacing with the facilitator and experts on the team, identifying case presenters within the ECHO participants, circulate case presentation template to case presenter and ensure completion, send session reminder to the ECHO cohort, follow up with speakers with reminder to submit slides and bio one week prior to the session, collect and circulate slides so that participants are well prepared for the session, send final session reminder, and any relevant resources;

-design evaluation tools and surveys;

-collect data from attendance and the evaluation, data entry and analysis, developing reports, presentations, publications, as relevant, to document the outcomes of the ECHO program;

-attending ECHO sessions and providing IT and user support to participants;

-attending team meetings with the Steering Committee, circulating an agenda and taking minutes;

-etc.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

•  Be based in Africa.

•  Bachelor’s or Master’s degree and/or experience conducting ECHO.  

•  The candidate must demonstrate excellent organizational and interpersonal skills, initiative, problem-solving abilities, and autonomy.

•  Excellent computer skills with Word, Powerpoint, Zoom, etc.

•  Available for team meetings and ECHO meetings to be scheduled from 8am to 5pm EST Time zone (Montreal/New York) and outside these times if needed.

•  Able to work independently and in a team.

•  The candidate must have a good knowledge of research and research ethics, as well as program evaluation.

·  Knowledge of the health care field and of oncology is an asset.

•  Complete fluency in English (oral and written) is necessary and will be tested.

•  Previous work experience in a coordination position and more specifically in coordination of an ECHO program will be of advantage. 

SALARY:

Salary to be determined according to country standards.

ABOUT IPOS:

Founded in 1984, IPOS was created to foster international multidisciplinary clinical, educational, and research work that relates to the subspecialty of psycho-oncology and two primary psychosocial dimensions of cancer: 1. Response of patients, families and staff to cancer and its treatment at all stages of the disease trajectory, including prevention, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, palliation and bereavement; and 2. Psychological, social and behavioral factors that influence cancer risk, tumor progression, and survival. IPOS is a leader in the development and dissemination of clinical practice guidelines and evidence-based interventions along the cancer care continuum to improve quality of life and outcomes in cancer patients and their families, such as the identification and treatment of symptoms (e.g., pain, nausea and vomiting, fatigue), mental health (e.g., depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, suicidal ideation, demoralization), doctor-patient communication, caregiving, communicating with and supporting children, fear of cancer recurrence, and end-of-life-care. In 2014, IPOS celebrated its 30th anniversary and began a partnership with WHO to build capacity for psycho-oncological cancer care in LMIC.

APPLY:

Candidates interested in applying for this position may do so by submitting a cover letter and Curriculum Vitae including three references to Dr Melissa Henry by the posting deadline January 14th 2022:

[email protected].

*Please note that only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Clinical: working as psycho-oncologist /providing consultation for all patients. Supervising medical students at Sultan Qaboos University. Training residents at Oman Medical Specialty Board.  

Head of Holistic Care Department (leading the holistic care which includes psychosocial/ physiotherapist/ occupational therapist/ speech therapist/ complementary/ Palliative care).

I like cooking Omani traditional meals. 

I joined IPOS last one year. I have gained a lot from the IPOS / attending last IPOS meeting in Japan and attending a lot of webinars prepared by IPOS.

My history with Psycho-oncology begins in my childhood. My father, first professor of Oncology in my country, always spoke about the most human part of his patients, which motivated me to choose Psychology to dedicate myself to this fascinating world. I assisted to the first course of Adjuvant Psychological Therapy at the Royal Marsden with Maggie Watson, and did a stay with her who is one of my references. After that, I was admitted to the school of Clinical Psychology at the University of Barcelona, where I did my PhD, and was a fellow. I went to FEFOC Foundation an organization related to cancer topics, currently pretty focused on prostate cancer. As such, I have been elected recently as a board director of Europa Uomo. Our other specialties are breast, elderly and relatives. I teach in some Universities. I am founder and currently president of the Spanish Society of Psycho-Oncology.

From the beginning, I know of IPOS and assisted to my first congress in Hamburg, where enjoyed great professionals and programs, what led me to go to all possible congresses, having more participation and meeting more people, including Ozan Bahcivan who became my PhD student and who suggested that I run for the IPOS Board. I was elected and have been elected again in the current board. IPOS has given me many things that I deeply appreciate. But especially, I am grateful to have been able to meet so many interesting and kind people and their works. IPOS offers a great opportunity to meet with different professionals and cultures what is essential to work with cancer patients.

Born in Canada and now living in Australia, I’m an early-career researcher, awarded >$265K in research funding and awards (>$72K as CIA), 18 publications and 20 conference presentations (11 International). I’m passionate about harnessing technologies we use every day, like text messages and apps, to support women’s transition to survivorship after breast cancer. My goal is to co-design (consumers, health care professionals, researchers) accessible, low-cost health-support programs that can be implemented internationally. For example, my co-designed EMPOWER-SMS lifestyle-focused text message support program was tested in a randomised controlled trial and pilot implementation trial by over 1000 breast cancer survivors, who found it supportive (88%), useful (91%), easy-to-understand (100%) and helped them manage their health (70%). I’m an IPOS Survivorship SIG member and was recently awarded the 2021 IPOS presentation award for my systematic review that found electronic health technologies helped women with breast cancer improve their quality of life, fatigue, and distress. I love being an IPOS member – the community is extremely welcoming, collaborative and engaging.  I’m looking forward to seeing you at the next IPOS event!

Cristiane Bergerot, Ph.D., is the Director of the Department of Psycho-Oncology at CETTRO Cancer Research Hospital in Brasilia, Brazil. She completed a 3 year research fellowship in the Department of Medical Oncology at the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center in Duarte, California, USA. She has been working with cancer patients for almost 16 years as a clinician and as a researcher. She has over 50 peer-reviewed publications in journals including first-author publications in Cancer, Journal of Immunotherapy for Cancer, British Journal of Urology International and Psychooncology. She has received four merit awards from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Conquer Cancer Foundation and was selected for the prestigious SWOG Young Investigator Course. Recently, she has received 2 internacional Grants and she received the Global Oncology Young Investigator Award  from Conquer Cancer Foundation. She is committed to bettering the lives of patients with cancer through (1) obtaining a detailed understanding of their quality of life and (2) addressing their quality of life through novel, targeted interventions.

Abstract Submission due date February 28, 2022

The International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS) and the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO) are now accepting abstracts for posters, papers, and workshops for the 23rd World Congress and the joint 37th Annual CAPO Conference, to be held in Toronto, Ontario on August 29 to September 1, 2022. The conference theme is “Reimagining Psychosocial Oncology: Embracing Voices from around the World”.

This year will provide a unique opportunity for those wishing to submit abstracts for presentation; you will be provided the option to present in-person, or virtually. You will be required to declare your preference upon submission (there will be flexibility in adjusting this closer to the conference). Please note, acceptance will be subject to the number of slots allotted to each of these options.

This conference brings together key stakeholders including multidisciplinary professionals from nursing, psychology, psychiatry, social work, spiritual care, nutrition, medicine, rehabilitation medicine, occupational health and radiation therapy for both adult and pediatric populations. Together, we seek to explore, share, learn and discuss psychosocial and physical aspects of cancer. Participants include clinicians, researchers, educators in cancer care, patient advocacy organizations, community-based organizations and patient representatives. Patients, caregivers and family members are strongly encouraged to submit abstracts that speak to their role in managing cancer experiences and care.

We invite abstracts on a wide range of topics in cancer care and stages of disease ranging from prevention and early diagnosis, to treatment and survivorship, to palliative and end-of-life care. Submissions can be reports of observational studies and clinical trials, innovative programs and service delivery models, systematic reviews, study protocols, clinical guidelines and best practice and local, regional, national and international approaches to build capacity in research, education and clinical care. Patients as co-presenter are encouraged. Patient oriented content is encouraged.

NEW THEMES HAVE BEEN ADDED THIS YEAR. LEARN MORE HERE - https://www.capo.ca/Abstracts

Please note that there is a different submission portal for Abstracts and Symposia.

For Symposia, moderators will create a submission and invite co-presenters to submit an abstract.

Submit an ABSTRACT here: https://app.oxfordabstracts.com/login?redirect=/stages/3349/submitter

Submit a SYMPOSIA here: https://app.oxfordabstracts.com/login?redirect=/events/2641/symposia/create

Join now and your membership will be paid through to December 21, 2022.

IPOS is a dynamic organisation with true global membership. Membership of IPOS means the chance to engage with professionals from 111 countries. Being part of IPOS provides opportunities to collaborate with many international organisations including WHO, European Cancer Organisation and Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) to contribute to research and implementation of best-practice psychosocial care in oncology internationally.

There are four types of membership to choose from:

1. Active Members: Active members include physicians, epidemiologists, psychologists, nurses, social workers, social scientists and other professionals at the Masters or Doctoral level as well as those individuals with professional equivalence who have been actively engaged in the research or clinical aspects of psycho-oncology.

• $140 US for World Bank-classified High-income/OECD countries.

• $25 US for World Bank-classified Low- and Middle-income countries.

2. Early Career Psycho-Oncology Professionals (ECPP): Early Career Psycho-Oncology Professional who is within three years of his/her ultimate degree and is a practicing professional.

• $25 US for all Early Career professionals from all countries.

3. Members-in-Training (Student): Those in training to become physicians (PhD students), epidemiologists, psychologists, nurses, social workers and social scientists are eligible for this membership category provided they are considered qualified by the Membership Committee.

• $25 US for all Members-in-Training from all countries.

4. Associate Members: Any individual that demonstrates an interest in psycho-oncology may join as an Associate

• $140 US for World Bank-classified High-income/OECD countries

• $25 US for World Bank-classified Low- and Middle-income countries.

Join online today by going to https://ipos-society.org/Membership

My name is Maria Die Trill and I have  been involved with IPOS since it was created by Dr. Holland in the 80s. I studied psychology in Madrid, Spain and trained in clinical psychology on a Fulbright fellowship at Bellevue Psychiatric Hospital/NY University, after which I became a research assistant at the Pediatric Department at Memorial Sloan-Ketering Cancer Center (MSKCC) under the mentorship of Dr. William Redd and completed pre and post doctoral fellowships at the Psychiatry Department at MSKCC under the mentorship of Dr. Jimmie Holland where I also had supervisers whose teachings I will never forget: Drs. W Breitbart, M Lederberg, J Barbuto, N Straker, etc. After 7 years in NY, work took me to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the Children´s Hospital and Harvard University in Boston, as part of the medical staff, where I had the opportunity to work with Drs Andrea Patenaude, Gerry Koocher and Joanna Breyer. As much as Boston is a beautiful city, I am a warm weather person and being burried in snow for most part of the year isn´t exactly what I look forward to! After 10 years in the US, I created the first PsychoOncology Unit in Spain at the university hospital Gregorio Marañón in Madrid. I´ve always had an interest in increasing the presence of Spanish-speaking professionals in IPOS, one of the reasons for which I organized IPOS´ X World Congress in Madrid, which expanded the participation of many Latin American countries. As IPOS President I created the Latin American and Spanish-Speaking SIG. I received the Cornelia Perry Award in Public Speaking & the Meaning of Life (1992) and the First Noemi Fisman Award for Lifetime Clinical Excellence (IPOS, 2008). I have published two Psycho-Oncology manuals in Spanish and as a clinician, I am interested in cross-cultural issues that influence the experiences of health, illness and death. I currently direct a privately run center in psychooncology in Madrid and collaborate with numerous scientific entities: Ulm University, Spanish Medical Oncology Society, European Society of Medical Oncology; European CanCer Organization, etc.

My most valued treasures are my family, especially my Russian-born 19-year old son Dima (despite the fact that he has almost finished with my energy reserve!) and my numerous close friends. All have supported me in the past years, which have not been easy ones. I have many hobbies for which I hardly have time (travelling, bookbinding) and I find special calm when I go to the opera and classical music concerts, or when I escape to a family-owned  old water mill turned into a country house outside the city. My beliefs help me find meaning in what I do, something for which I consider myself quite fortunate. Having lost three very close family members to COVID-19 (my father among them) in less than a year, I now hope that we all come together, specially to help those without resources, to end with this terrible pandemic.

Psycho-oncology researchers and clinicians are invited to submit proposals to host pre-conference academy workshops. All workshops will be held on Monday, August 29, 2022.

Workshops can be offered in person or virtually. You will be asked to declare your preference of either or both, for consideration. Please note that virtual workshops will be limited to five (5).

You will also be provided the option to declare what language you would prefer to present in. The committee reserves the right to make the final decision on the language for delivery.

All submitters are encouraged to make workshops relevant to patient representatives and where possible, include patients as co-presenters.

Workshop proposals are due by January 14, 2022.

Submissions are to be made online by going to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Preworkshop2022

Thanks in advance for your interest. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Toronto in 2022!