BACKGROUND: Cancer is the second leading cause of death among American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN), and the five-year survival rate for all cancers combined among AI/AN are worse when compared to all other races, and these disparities have increased over time. The Northwest Tribal Cancer Control Project (NTCCP), a comprehensive cancer control project designed to help reduce cancer incidence, morbidity, and mortality among AI/AN, planned a cancer training specific to health care providers. The clinician training is part of NTCCP's efforts to provide technical assistance to 40 Northwest tribes to implement comprehensive cancer control plans and build infrastructure in local tribal communities. METHODS: NTCCP conducted its 1st Annual Clinician Training in October 1999. This training provided clinical staff current information on breast, cervix, colo-rectal, lung, and prostate cancer sites including treatment, screening, and behavior risks. Other topics also covered were palliation, pain management, and survivorship issues. Topics were driven by clinician responses to a survey conducted by NTCCP. RESULTS: Twenty participants representing 15 of 40 (38%) tribes from Idaho, Oregon, and Washington attended. Urban Indian program participants also attended. Leading oncologists from Oregon Health Sciences University conducted the majority of sessions. All clinicians evaluated the training highly. CONCLUSIONS: This cancer training reaches clinicians who might not have otherwise received continuing education regarding cancer, and, ultimately, aims to improve the quality of health care to AI/AN in Northwest tribal communities.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to: 1. Plan continuing education training for clinicians regarding cancer control. 2. List steps in developing cancer training for Indian health care providers. 3. Create and prioritize topic items based on responses from survey
Keywords: Cancer, American Indians
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.