NewsletterFAMILY PRACTICE ONCOLOGY NETWORK

www.bccancer.bc.ca Issue no. 2 Summer 2004

A Year in Review In February 2000, the BC Cancer Agency (BCCA)

launched the Family Practice Oncology Network

(FPON). Th e past year has been busy for the Network.

Here are a few of the highlights (see inside for details).

May 2003 — 1st FPON Newsletter published

June 2003 — Communication and Education Survey

conducted by FPON and the College of Family Practice

November 2003 — 1st Annual Family Practice

Oncology Education Day held as part of the BC Cancer

Agency’s Annual Cancer Conference

January 2004 — Completed planning for Annual

Family Practice Oncology Education Session at the

BC Cancer Agency’s Annual Conference 2004

February 2004 — Family Practice Oncology

Preceptorship Program launched

April 2004 — 1st CME Road Show evening event

held in Chilliwack

May 2004 — Th e Family Practice Oncology Decision

Support and Information Resource Project launched

Comprehensive Cancer Information Resource for Family Physicians in British ColumbiaTh e BC Cancer Agency (BCCA) is

committed to provide the most updated

evidence-based information to health care

providers throughout the province. In

1995, the BC Cancer Agency discontinued

the production of its paper version of

the Cancer Management Guidelines and

replaced it with an electronic version

posted on the Agency website. Th is

electronic version allows continuous

updating of material. Health professionals

within the BCCA fi nd this resource very

useful. However, a recent survey of family

physicians showed that many were unaware

of its availability, and of those who were,

many did not use it; others were still using

the outdated 1995 paper-based manual.

To respond to this need, the FPON is

developing a special family practice section

of the BCCA website. Under the guidance

of the CME Working Group, Dr. Andrew

Murray, a family physician in Nelson, BC,

is working to create a comprehensive Cancer

Information Resource designed by and for

family physicians. Once completed,

this resource will include information

from the Cancer Management Guidelines,

the BCCA Chemotherapy Protocols

and other information useful to family

physicians practicing in communities

throughout BC.

Th e project has started with breast cancer

and will also include pain and symptom

management, and palliative care. Once

fully developed, the format will be applied

to all other tumour sites.

Participants in the 1st FPON Preceptorship Program (L) - (R) Dr. Shannon Douglas (Fraser Lake), Dr. Biz Bastion (Smithers), Dr. Tanya Austin (Comox), Dr. Charmaine Kim-Sing (BCCA), Ms. Mary McCullum (BCCA), Dr. Andrew Levins (Salmon Arm) and Dr. Dan Fung (Vancouver).

Dan Horvat, MD, Co-Chair, Family Practice Oncology Council (Outgoing)

It is a year since I began the role of Co-

Chair of the FPON and I am pleased

that the Network has been received with

enthusiasm and commitment by family

physicians and that dialogue with other

stakeholders has also been well received.

We have come a long way in a year.

Recently, I have accepted the position of

Medical Director for the Northern Interior

and, as of mid-July, will be based out of

Prince George. Although my work has not

been defi ned entirely as yet, I am hoping

to continue to play at least a peripheral

role in the development of this important

Network. I would like to thank the BCCA

and, particularly, Dr. Simon Sutcliff e, for

aff ording me the opportunity to work with

such a forward thinking organization. I am

sure that with his continued support, and

with the guidance of Dr. Philip White and

the incoming co-chair Dr. Peter Battershill,

the FPON will continue to be a success.

Philip White, MD, Co-Chair, Family Practice Oncology Council

Th e Family Practice

Oncology Network is

in its early stages, but

already has received

enthusiastic support.

Much has been learned from the initial

stages of FPON development. It is now

time to take the learning that has occurred,

and the enthusiasm, which has been

demonstrated, and further develop cancer

control capabilities for family physicians in

communities throughout BC.

I would like to also welcome Dr. Peter

Battershill, GP in Oncology at BC Cancer

Agency’s Vancouver Island Centre, as he

joins me as the Co-Chair of the Council.

I look forward to his involvement and

support as we move into the next stage of

developing the Network. I would also like to

welcome Ms. Jaya Venkatesh to the position

of Network Manager. We are pleased Jaya

will be able to support us.

Ms. Jaya Venkatesh, MHA, Network Manager, Family Practice Oncology Network

Message from Dr. Simon Sutcliff e, President, BC Cancer AgencyTh e Family Practice

Oncology Network

(FPON) is a

partnership between

the BC Cancer

Agency (BCCA) and

family physicians.

Th e impetus for

developing the

FPON has been the recognition of the

need for enhanced oncology capability in

communities throughout BC. Th e family

physicians of BC and the BCCA currently

have a tremendous opportunity to work in

partnership to improve the quality of care

off ered to one of the most challenged groups

of people in our society – those with cancer.

A high priority for us is to assist family

doctors with enhancement of their

oncology skills, professional education,

communication and engagement in health

services utilization that will maximize quality

care, disease control and health promotion.

We heard from you last year via the survey

and we have responded to your oncology

needs by establishing the Preceptorship

Program, annual conference, community

education events, website, newsletter and

most recently we are supporting Dr. Andrew

Murray from Nelson, BC as he redevelops

our Cancer Manual to make it more user-

friendly to family physicians. I welcome

your involvement in the Network and look

forward to supporting the work of the

Council as we move into this next phase

of development.

Th e Council and Network

2004 Annual Conference AgendaManagement of Cancer in the Community

Saturday, November 27, 20040800 – 0830 Welcome/ Introduction/ Agenda – Moderator: Dr. Peter Battershill

0830 – 0930 Keynote Address: Dr. Simon Sutcliffe, President, BC Cancer Agency

0930 – 1000 Break

1000 – 1200 Short Presentations / Discussion / Case Presentations • Cancer Prevention: Diet, Exercise, Smoking – Speaker: Dr. David McLean • Prevention of Skin Cancer – Speaker: Dr. Jason Rivers • Colorectal Screening – Speaker: Dr. Barbara Melosky • Chemo prevention – Tamoxifen/Anti infl ammatory – Speaker: Dr. Brian Weinerman

1200 – 1330 Network Meeting – Moderator: Co-Chairs of the Family Practice Oncology Network

1330 – 1330 Workshops • Palliative Care – nausea / vomiting /constipation – Leader: Romayne Gallagher • Electronic aids –Website – Palm Pilot • Breaking Bad News – Leader: Dr. Grant McLean • Motivating Patients – Leader: Dr. Patrick McGowan

To register on-line: http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/HPI/ACC2004/start.htm or contact Program Secretary at (604) 877-6000 ext 5979

Family Practice Oncology Preceptorship ProgramTh e Preceptorship Program for Family

Practitioners was established to meet

the needs of family physicians in rural

communities. It is a two-month course

in module format that can be taken as an

entire program or in individual modules.

Th e Program is off ered in each of the four

BC Cancer Agency Regional Cancer Centres

– Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Surrey and

Kelowna. It is designed to serve the needs

of physicians with patients who are at risk

of developing cancer, are being treated for

cancer, or are recovering from cancer and

those with persistent cancer. Th e Program

ensures that physicians in all communities

have access to the oncology knowledge,

skills and approach that are appropriate

for family physicians. Th e goal of the

Program is to ensure all communities with

a population of 15,000 have at least one

family physician with oncology competence.

Th e Program will be evaluated in its fi rst

year of operation. Each preceptor trainee

will be asked to evaluate his/her experience,

areas requiring improvement and to suggest

future activities. Th is program is supported

by the UBC Enhanced Skills Program.

Each of the following modules includes:

aims and learning objectives, tutorials,

practical sessions:

• Introductory Module

• Breast Cancer Module

• Gastrointestinal Module

• Genitourinary Module

• Gynae Oncology Module

• Lung Cancer Module

• Lymphoma Module

• Pediatric Oncology Module

• Palliative Care Module

• Combined Module

- Head And Neck

- Sarcoma

- Melanoma

- Central Nervous System

- Hematology

An application form is available from

Jaya Venkatesh at jvenkate@bccancer.bc.ca

or phone: 604 877 6000 local 2732.

“Th e BC Cancer Agency trains nurses and pharmacists in the community, but up until the Preceptor Program there has been no formal oncology training for family doctors. Th at is why I have led the development of this Program”

— Dr. Bob Newman, family physician, Dawson Creek

Chair, Preceptorship Program Working Group

What you told us… Close to 300 family physicians from across the province responded to our 2003 survey. Here are some of the results. The percentage of physicians requiring further information

on cancer management is indicated on this table.

Low Interest High Interest

1 2 3 4 5

Discussing a Patient Diagnosis 5.5% 13.6% 18.7% 35.9% 26.4%

Dealing with Family Members 6.3% 11.2% 24.5% 39.0% 19.0%

Psychological Needs 4.8% 10.3% 29.4% 34.2% 21.3%

Febrile Neutropenia 3.7% 9.2% 21.7% 40.1% 25.4%

Nausea and Vomiting 1.4% 6.9% 17.7% 45.1% 28.9%

Oncology Emergencies 5.5% 10.9% 17.5% 34.9% 31.3%

Pain Management 1.8% 1.8% 13.9% 31.8% 50.7%

Palliative Care Management 2.9% 3.6% 14.5% 37.7% 41.3%

Follow up After Treatment 1.1% 4.0% 19.6% 43.5% 31.9%

Preparing a Patient for Treatment 2.5% 11.2% 32.4% 33.8% 20.1%

Nutritional Support 2.9% 14.8% 31.4% 35.0% 15.9%

Childhood Cancer Management 13.5% 26.9% 32.7% 17.1% 9.8%

Chemotherapy Administration in the Community 18.0% 17.3% 28.3% 21.7% 14.7%

Understanding Radiation Treatments 5.8% 15.3% 28.4% 32.0% 18.5%

Understanding Surgical Treatments 5.5% 15.0% 31.9% 29.7% 17.9%

Chemotherapy and Radiation Side Effects 2.5% 7.6% 26.4% 41.3% 22.1%

Chemotherapy and Radiation Treatments 4.1% 10.7% 28.5% 38.5% 18.1%

FPON Survey WinnersDr. Jane Bishop, Sechelt BC

$150.00 – Ferguson Point Teahouse

Dr. Bernhard Toews, Coquitlam BC

$ 75.00 – Kimberly’s Gills & Grapes

Dr. Akbar Javer, New Westminster BC

$75.00 – Artison Resturant

Dr. Herbert Chang, Coquitlam BC

$75.00 – Horizons Restaurant

Thank you to all who completed

the questionnaire.

Contact InformationDr. Philip White,

Council Co-Chair

drwhitemd@shaw.ca

Dr. Peter Battershill,

Council Co-Chair

pbatters@bccancer.bc.ca

Ms. Jaya Venkatesh,

Network Manager

jvenkate@bccancer.bc.ca

Tel: 604 877 6000 x2732

Fax: 604 708 2102

Websitewww.bccancer.bc.ca/HPI/FPON

Education Highlights in OncologySkin cancer and clinical tobacco

intervention courses are available online

on the BCCA website at www.bccancer.

bc.ca/hpi/cme or contact:

Alyson Meehan, Program Coordinator,

Society for Clinical Preventive Health

Care, 340-1665 W. Broadway,

Vancouver BC V6J 5A4

CME Chilliwack

A Program to Address Postoperative Complications of Preoperative SmokingTh e BC Cancer Agency, in partnership

with the health authorities, has developed a

program to reduce postoperative morbidity

and mortality, and decreased length of stay

and care costs for smokers on surgical wait

lists. Stopping smoking for just eight weeks preoperatively signifi cantly reduces these

complications.

Participating health authorities are, or

soon will be, asking all surgeons to record

smoking status on revised surgical booking

forms. Smokers identifi ed will receive

information by mail that outlines the risks

of continued smoking and lists community

resources to help them stop.

Additional information can be found on

BCCA website: http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/

PPI/Prevention/CaPrev/surgicalwaitlist.htm

David McLean, MD, FRCPC

Head, Cancer Prevention Programs

BC Cancer Agency

dmclean@bccancer.bc.ca

Dr. Neil Hilliard, family physician,

Chilliwack, led this event titled “Diagnosis

and Management of Breast Cancer in Your

Community — Th e Breast Cancer

Journey”. It was held on Th ursday, April 1,

2004 and was well attended by physicans,

nurses, pharmacists and breast cancer

support individuals. Th e speakers were:

Dr. Cicely Bryce, medical oncologist,

BCCA Vancouver Cancer Centre;

Dr. Christo Wiggins, general surgeon;

Dr. Lynn Kobierski, palliative care

physician; and Dr. Neil Hilliard, family

physician.

Th e topics focused on the following areas:

• Patient — looking at critical events in

the breast cancer journey

• Physician — networking with colleagues

from Fraser East and the BC Cancer

Agency – Fraser Valley Centre who deal

with breast cancer

• Practice — incorporating the

latest concepts in chronic disease

management, including practice tools to

take away

• Community — displays and

information from community groups

Th is event was generously

sponsored by Novartis and

Purdue Pharma. Th ank you

to Juliette Hum, Margo

Dalinghaus and Trish

Nguyen for their assistance

in coordinating this event.

Th e next CME Road Show

will be held this Fall.

Next Issue Winter 2004

Article from the Surgical

Oncology Network

GP in Oncology

– History and Role in FPON

A National Perspective

“Canadian Strategy for

Cancer Control”

Th e Networks of the BCCA

If you would like to get involved in the FPON (e.g., Preceptor Working Group,

CME Working Group, Council), we would welcome your participation.