The Portal of Geriatrics Online Education

Self-Directed Learning Assignment on Cancer Screening in Older Patients

CC BY-NC-SA

Self-Directed Learning Assignment on Cancer Screening in Older Patients

University of Chicago Division of the Biological Sciences The Pritzker School of Medicine
Authors:  
Mariko Wong, MD
Sponsor: 
John A. Hartford Foundation
POGOe Id: 
21738
Posted: 
02/24/2015
Updated: 
02/24/2015
0
Abstract: 

This self-directed learning assignment was created to complement the required 2-week ambulatory geriatrics curriculum for PGY1’s at the University of Chicago.  Learners are first asked to reflect on a previous patient encounter during which they struggled whether to recommend routine cancer screening.  Then they complete a required reading assignment.  Next, they are asked to choose a patient from their own continuity clinic panel and a type of cancer screening, and assess whether this would be appropriate for the particular patient based on their age, life expectancy, preferences, and goals of care.  They are also asked to elaborate on the benefits and risks of screening.

Educational objectives: 
  1. Learn what the cancer screening guideline recommendations are for colon, breast, and cervical cancer
  2. Learn how to estimate an older patient’s life expectancy
  3. Appreciate the benefits and risks of routine cancer screening
  4. Incorporate patient’s preference and goals of care into whether or not to recommend cancer screening in older patients
  5. Appreciate the challenges of recommending cancer screening in older patients
Intended learner audience: 
Discipline/specialty: 
Estimated time to complete: 
45 minutes
Contact person/corresponding author: 
Mariko Wong, MD: [email protected]
Suggested Citation:
Self-Directed Learning Assignment on Cancer Screening in Older Patients. POGOe - Portal of Geriatrics Online Education; 2015 Available from: http://www.pogoe.org/productid/21738