Canada

Graduate Level Training

Calgary

1. We have a face-to-face graduate course in Psychosocial Oncology offered through the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary.

2. We also offer a module/rotation in Psychosocial Oncology as part of the Calgary Adult Clinical Psychology Residency Program which is accredited by the Canadian Psychologists Association. 

Psychosocial Oncology: This rotation is based in the Department of Psychosocial Resources, Tom Baker Cancer Centre (TBCC & TBCC—Holy Cross site). Three pillars underpin the integrated program in the Department of Psychosocial Resources: clinical services, research, and professional education. Psychology residents in the department have the unique opportunity to work with cancer patients and their families around a range of issues such as adjusting to treatment sequelae, medical adherence, pain and symptom control, sexual rehabilitation, insomnia, family and dyadic distress, depression and anxiety. The Department of Psychosocial Resources also has a broad range of group interventions including mindfulness based stress reduction, cognitive behavioural stress management seminars, supportive expressive group psychotherapy, residential retreats, and psychoeducational groups for children of cancer patients. Residents will also have the opportunity to participate in a weekly Reflecting Team and a graduate level course in psychosocial oncology. An integrative theoretical model is used with supervisors drawing form cognitive behavioural, behavioural activation, existential/humanistic, mindfulness, psychoeducational, solution focused, systemic and pychodynamic theoretical models. Residents will have opportunities to work within multidisciplinary out- patient and inpatient medical teams. For inquires contact Dr. John Robinson [email protected] 403 355-3211

3. Through the Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, we offer a Clinical Fellowship in Psychosocial Oncology. Each Fellowship is designed to meet the need of the Fellow. For example, we have had fellows specializing in sexuality & oncology, palliative care, and bone marrow transplant. The advertisement is attached.

4. On an ad hoc basis we accept trainees (Canadian and international) for observer ships, residencies, etc.

5. And finally we offer practicum placements to MSW students from the University of Calgary.

Princess Margaret Hospital

Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, the University Health Network

Clinical Fellowship & Clinical and Research Fellowship

Program Description: A one-year clinical fellowship or two-year clinical and research fellowship are offered at the Department of Supportive Care. Affiliated with the University of Toronto, the Department of Supportive Care at Princess Margaret provides fellows with an outstanding clinical experience. The department offers fellows in psychosocial oncology a wide range of supervisors and positions within its research and clinical programs, making the Department of Supportive Care a major contributor to the success of these fellowships.

The Clinical Component: Fellows will learn about the psychiatric and psychosocial aspects of cancer for patients and families at diagnosis, during active treatment, in the event of recurrence, after completing treatment, through survivorship and during palliation and end-of-life care.

Fellows will have the opportunity to observe and perform psychiatric assessments with supervisors to aid in developing diagnostic and formulation skills, receive ongoing clinical supervision.

The Research Component: Research fellows in psychosocial oncology will develop the skills to create research proposals and undertake scholarly projects for presentation and publications in peer-reviewed journals. Clinical and research fellows will participate an interdisciplinary academic environment with ample opportunity for feedback and presentation at local rounds, including the Behavioural Sciences and Supportive Care Rounds, Manuscript Review Seminar, Pain and Symptom Management Rounds and Departmental Grand Rounds.

Fellows may participate in an ongoing project under the supervision of a principle investigator in the department. They are also expected to develop and conduct a new research project, prepare manuscripts and served as the first author of a manuscript.

Eligibility: Eligible applicant must

• have a medical degree
  
• have completed psychiatry residency
  
• be eligible for obtaining the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) medical practice license
  

Please see the detailed requirement here: http://www.psychiatry.utoronto.ca/prospective-fellows/

Application Process:

1. Submit the following documents to:
Dr. Gary Rodin, Head of the Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, the University Health Network Email: [email protected]

o Curriculum Vitae (CV)
o Letter of intent. The letter of intent should include the following:

• Rationale for pursuing training in psychosocial oncology
  
• Previous experience in psychosocial oncology
  
• Personal goals and learning objectives for the program
  
• How the fellowship experience will fit with your future needs
  

2. After initial screening, if accepted, an interview with the fellowship committee will be conducted.

3. Once accepted, the applicant will

• apply through the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. See the application process here: http://www.psychiatry.utoronto.ca/apply-to-the-fellowship-program/
  
• apply to College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario for the medical license at the same time as applying to the University of Toronto
  

Funding: Funding is available on a competitive basis. This can be discussed during the interview with the fellowship committee.

Deadline: The fellowship typically runs for from July 1st through June 30th

• International applicants should apply a year prior to the start date.
  
• Canadian applicants should apply 6 months prior to the start date.
  

Global Institute of Psychosocial, Palliative and End-of-life Care (GIPPEC)

Research fellowship & Clinical and Research Fellowship

Program Description: A one to two-year research fellowship and a two-year clinical and research fellowship are offered at GIPPEC. Affiliated with the University of Toronto and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, GIPPEC provides an interdisciplinary academic and clinical environment for fellows as well as a wide range of supervisors and positions within its research and clinical programs.

The Research Component: GIPPEC research fellows will have the opportunity to apply skills to create research proposals and undertake a scholarly project for presentation and publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Fellows will participate in an interdisciplinary academic environment with ample opportunity for feedback and presentation at local rounds, including the Behavioural Sciences and Supportive Care Rounds, Manuscript Review Seminar, Pain and Symptom Management Rounds and Departmental Grand Rounds. Numerous opportunities for collaboration are available in this interdisciplinary environment.

Fellows may participate in an ongoing project under the supervision of a principal investigator in the department. They are also expected to develop and conduct a new research project, prepare manuscripts and be the principal author on an original article.

With a strong base of international faculty, GIPPEC fellows can enhance research skills in palliative, psychosocial, and end-of-life care to produce research with global impact.

The Clinical Component: Fellows will learn about the palliative and psychosocial aspects of cancer for patients and families at diagnosis, during active treatment, in the event of recurrence, after completing treatment, through survivorship and during palliation and end-of-life care.

Fellows will have the opportunity to observe and perform clinical assessments with supervisors to aid in developing diagnostic and formulation skills, receive ongoing supervision.

Eligibility: Have a doctoral degree in a health related discipline that is relevant to psychosocial oncology, palliative care, psychology, nursing, social work, behavioral and social sciences, neuroscience, public health and global health.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

1. Submit the following documents to:
Dr. Gary Rodin, Head of the Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, the University Health Network Email: [email protected]

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  
• Letter of intent. The letter of intent should include the following: o Rationale for pursuing training in palliative and psychosocial care
  
• Previous experience in palliative and psychosocial care
  
• Personal goals and learning objectives for the program
  
• How the fellowship experience will fit with your future needs
  

2. After initial screening, if accepted, an interview with the fellowship committee will be conducted.

3. Once accepted, the applicant will apply through the Office of Research Trainees at the University Health Network. The postdoctoral fellow and supervisor will discuss and define specific projects and timelines.

Funding: Funding is available on a competitive basis. This can be discussed during the interview with the fellowship committee.

Deadline: GIPPEC accepts applications on a rolling basis. Canadian applicants should apply 6 months prior to the start date. International applicants should apply 1 year prior to the start date.