Development of a Competency-Based Curriculum for Surgical Oncology Training in India
摘要
Cancer care in India is increasingly complex, requiring surgical oncologists with advanced multidisciplinary skills. This article proposes a standardised national curriculum for Surgical Oncology training to ensure consistent training, academic excellence, and improved patient outcomes. The framework integrates surgical expertise, oncologic principles, research aptitude, and holistic care, aligned with global standards yet adapted to India’s healthcare realities. Consensus was achieved through online and in-person deliberations among senior surgical oncology leaders from institutes such as AIIMS and other major centres. Several participants have served as subject experts for the National Board of Examinations, the National Medical Commission, and the Indian Council of Medical Research. The framework, informed by global and Indian models, was mapped across cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains. It incorporated disease-specific competencies, research training, multidisciplinary exposure, and subspecialty rotations. Evaluation strategies included both formative and summative assessments, with inter-institutional exchange where facilities were limited. The three-year curriculum includes academic activities, thesis and database project, logbook maintenance, and rotations in medical oncology, radiation oncology, palliative care, ICU, and basic sciences. Training spans core surgical principles and advanced procedures across organ systems, with emphasis on community health, translational research, digital health, and artificial intelligence. Competency-based progression, structured assessments, and holistic training in ethics, communication, and survivorship are integral features. The proposed curriculum provides a structured, competency-based model for surgical oncology training in India. It strengthens clinical, academic, and research capacities, outlines a roadmap for future organ-based subspecialisation, and offers a framework adaptable to low- and middle-income countries.