Newcastle University

Aims

The aim of this module is to introduce students to product development in cancer care including new concepts in personalised health care. Students will become adept in introducing new cancer drugs and understand how decisions are made in adopting certain techniques, with the patient at the centre of the decision making process.

Outline Of Syllabus

1) Product Development – "why hospitals don't care"
2) Phase I Trials – are they still relevant?
3) Phase II / III / IV trials – are there better alternatives?
4) The hype of "personalised healthcare" – the future of biomarkers
5) Promoting cancer drugs – does it make a difference to prescribers?
6) How the real decisions are made.
7) Introducing new technologies, the network and hospital processes.
8) New technologies the patient context
9) Developing relationships and partnerships

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The on-line delivery of this programme is appropriate in view of the wide range of rigorous websites which can
support the students progress through the module. The inclusion of discussion boards on identified topics help
students debate current practices.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

This assessment strategy is designed to allow the students to demonstrate a depth of knowledge in a focused topic of a non-prescriptive aspect of cancer management. It allows assessment of students ability to critically analyse and present to an audience of peers a focused critiqued piece of work.