Fellowship in Surgical Oncology
THE CONTEXT
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world.
According to the World Health Organization, by 2035 there will will be a significant increase in cases and deaths related to this disease.
Surgical treatment is a key pillar in cancer care and will involve millions of patients.
However, the absence of dedicated specialised training in cancer surgery in many countries, including parts of Europe, means that a significant percentage of patients are at risk of suboptimal care.
Investing in training highly specialised surgical oncologists is essential to ensure high-quality care. In North America, has a well structured training pathway for general surgeons to acquire advanced skills in oncology.
This pathway, in addition to providing a solid technical background, also includes learning multidisciplinary skills that are fundamental to the comprehensive management of oncology patients.
THE SITUATION IN EUROPE AND ITALY
Europe, currently does not have a structured pathway in this area: it is possible to obtain the title of Surgical Oncologist (European Board of Surgical Oncology Qualification) through an examination administered by the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) in collaboration with the European Society of Surgical Oncology (ESSO). This examination evaluates the candidate’s performance on a test, assuming the necessary clinical and surgical skills, which the candidate self-certifies.
In Italy, there is no specialised training program in surgical oncology, despite the generally high standards of general surgery and the presence of several centers of excellence. This gap leads to inconsistent quality of care and reduces patients’ access to the most advanced therapies.
OBJECTIVES OF THE SICO FELLOWSHIP PROJECT
The Foundation set out to fill this training gap by creating a school of excellence in surgical oncology. We want to train a new generation of surgeons who can meet the challenges of modern medicine and offer patients the most innovative care.
Training excellence
Through structured and rigorous training, we want to create a national network of highly specialised surgical oncologists.
Our school will be inspired by the best international models, ensuring high quality training in line with the most advanced standards.
Collaboration
To achieve this goal, we collaborate with leading centres of excellence in surgical oncology in the country.
These centres will host our Fellows, offering them the opportunity to learn from the best professionals in the field.
Dissemination of Know-How
Thanks to our network of centres of excellence, our Fellows will have the opportunity to work closely with the best oncology surgeons in the country.
This direct coaching will enable them to acquire practical and theoretical skills of the highest level, ensuring comprehensive and up-to-date training.
The Fellowship program
The our Fellowship program, inaugurated in 2023, is designed to train future leaders in cancer surgery, making them capable of intervening in the cancer patient’s care and treatment pathway to improve their management, survival, and quality of life
We offer young surgeons the opportunity to acquire the skills necessary to meet the increasingly complex challenges of cancer care, characterised by technological innovation, by continuous advances on the scientific research front and especially by multidisciplinarity.
The program provides a two-year training course, during which Fellows will be able to deepen their knowledge in different areas of cancer surgery, such as colorectal, pancreatic, or breast cancer. Through fellowships, the best candidates will be able to carry out their rotations at national centres of excellence, supported by highly qualified mentors.
The call is open to physicians up to 45 years of age with residency in general surgery obtained from an Italian University, with scientific and clinical curriculum in the area of Surgical Oncology. Selection will be by qualifications and oral interview.
Methodology
Our Fellowship program is designed for young surgeons who wish to specialise in oncology. The Fellowship has a duration of 24 months and is structured in sessions on different oncology areas, with rotations to take place every 4 months.
Participants should choose at least 4 of the following surgical areas:
Esophagus-stomach
Colon-rectum
Sarcomas
Pancreas
Liver
Melanoma
Mammella
Peritoneum
Participants will be supported by experienced mentors who will ensure the quality of the training. The Fellows will be responsible for the peri-operative management of the patients and will work under the direct supervision of the mentors. In addition, they will participate in the teaching and research activities of the institution host, serving as a supervisor and educator of residents and students. Finally, they will participate in research projects and present results at national and international conferences, as well as at the annual SICO.
Upon completion of the training, the Fellows will receive a diploma and a letter of introduction from the SICO Foundation, with which they will be eligible for ESSO/UEMS certification and thus the EBSQ (European Board Surgical Oncology Qualification) examination.
The on-going performance evaluation system includes monitoring of rotations through questionnaires addressed to Fellows and mentors.
OUR NETWORK.
Surgical Oncology Centers
CALL FOR FELLOWSHIP IN CANCER SURGERY
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Admission requirements
- Specialization in General Surgery performed at an Italian university;
- Age < 45 years;
- Scientific and Clinical Curriculum in the area of Surgical Oncology;
- Good knowledge of the English language (spoken and written);
- Be a SICO member in good standing with the society’s annual membership fee.
Submission of application
Applicants should send their application via e-mail to info@fondazionesico.org no later than the due date, with the following documents:
- Cover letter;
- Graduate Certificate;
- Certificate of Specialty;
- Curriculum Vitae and Studiorum including qualifications and publications that can be evaluated for selection and surgical case history;
- Copy of a valid Identification Document
Oral evidence
Candidates who pass the comparative evaluation of qualifications will be invited to appear for an oral test, which will take place at a place and date to be notified to the selected candidates at least 10 days before the oral selection test is held.
Ranking
The ranking list of winners and successful candidates will be made public no later than 1 month after the oral test is held. Successful candidates of the Call for Fellowship in SICO Oncologic Surgery must signal their acceptance within 15 days from the date of announcement of the results, failing which they will forfeit their status as winners in favour of the next candidates on the ranking list.
PLEASE NOTE: The competition complies with all current regulations on gender equality, equal opportunities between men and women, and against all forms of discrimination.
Stipulation of the contract
The winners of this Call for Applications will be required to sign a contract with SICO prior to the start of the Fellowship Program. The contract must contain the specific functions, rights and duties related to the position, the tasks and main activities entrusted to the Fellow, and the economic, social security and insurance treatment. Failure to enter into the contract within the above deadline will result in forfeiture of the right to the Fellowship. In this case, the next eligible candidate, following in the general merit list, will take over.
The established gross amount is €60,000 (sixty thousand/euro) for the 24 months (30,000 € annually) of activity of the selected Fellows.
Insurance coverage will depend on the nature of the host institution and will be specified at the time of contract signing.
Processing of personal data
The personal data of the Applicants will be processed solely for the purposes of this procedure and the eventual establishment of the employment relationship and will be kept by SICO in compliance with Legislative Decree 196/2003 for the period strictly necessary for the use of such data in the related
administrative procedure.
The provision and collection of data is mandatory for the instruction of the selection process and if sensitive data is involved, it is carried out in accordance with Law 68/1999 and Law 104/1992.
The provision of the data indicated in the announcement is mandatory and necessary for the evaluation of the admission requirements under penalty of exclusion from the selection. At the data controller, SICO, interested parties may exercise their rights under Article 7 of Legislative Decree 196/2003, including the right to access the data.
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