FIGO/IGCS Gynecologic Oncology Fellowships

The FIGO/IGCS Observer Program was designed to allow a health care worker with interest in Gynecologic Oncology from a developing country to train at an IGCS approved Academic Center to acquire expertise in the field. It served as an exchange of intellectual and academic materials between the host and the applicant. Outcomes had to be measured.

The target audience was either young physicians desiring to specialize in an oncology field or established oncologists

Program 1

Intent	To expose young physicians from developing countries to the organizational structure of centers of international standard and to teach them how to integrate oncology care in their future practice. The candidate had to select a mentor.
Time Frame:	3 to 6 months
Topics:	Prevention/Early Detection Programs Palliative care/Hospice setting How to run clinical trials Research laboratory organization How to set up translational research Clinic organization and clinical work in an academic setting Clinic organization and clinical work in a private setting
Outcome:	Candidates were asked to fill out a pre-evaluation form targeted to the specific topic of interest. Candidate were asked to fill a post-evaluation form to receive FIGO/IGCS certificate. Candidate had to write at least one manuscript with the help of the mentor to be published in the country of origin to disseminate acquired learning.

Qualifications:

The applicant had to:

Be certified in the health care field and have a known interest in Gynecologic Oncology. No more then 10 years experience since certification.
Specify what type of expertise the applicant would like to observe (Surgical, medical, clinical research, public health, etc…)
Explain what long term accomplishments will be expected as a result of participation in the Observer Program (i.e what can be implemented practically in the applicant country after the travel award)
Describe their specific background and experience in Gynecologic Oncology
Be able to communicate effectively with the mentor team.

Duration, award and sponsorship:

The duration of the travel award was for 3 to 6 months and the application had to have the full support of the applicant’s institution and/or Health Department.

FIGO/IGCS provided the mentor faculty to host the observers. The host had to obtain clearance for all medical license and medical protection insurance that the mentor faculty would need. Travel costs wre paid by the sponsoring organization and an award of $ 5,000 was given for local accommodation.

The observer received a free membership to the IGCS for 5 years

Applications were reviewed for scientific validity by a sub-committee of the FIGO/IGCS Education Committee.

Program 2

Intent:	To promulgate intellectual exchanges between developed and developing countries to foster the care of oncology patients worldwide.
Time Frame:	4-8 weeks
Topics:	Prevention/Early Detection Programs Palliative care/Hospice setting How to run clinical trials Research laboratory organization How to set up translational research Clinic organization and clinical work in an academic setting Clinic organization and clinical work in a private setting Any other oncology related topics
Outcome:	Candidates wre asked to present one topic at a seminar activity

Qualifications:

The applicant had to:

Be certified in the health care field and have a known interest in Gynecology Oncology. Be at least 10 years out in practice.
Specify what type of expertise the applicant would like to observe (Surgical, medical, clinical research, public health, etc…)
Explain what long term accomplishments will be expected as a result of participation in the Observer Program (i.e what can be implemented practically in the applicant country after the travel award)
Describe their specific background and experience in Gynecology Oncology
Be able to communicate effectively with the mentor team.

Duration, award and sponsorship:

The duration of the travel award was for 4 to 8 weeks and the application had to have the full support of the applicant’s institution and/or Health Department.

FIGO/IGCS provided the expert faculty to host the observers. The host had to obtain clearance for all medical license and medical protection insurance that the expert faculty would need. Travel costs were paid by the sponsoring organization and an award of US$2,000 was given for local accommodation.

The Awardees were strongly recommended to become a member of the IGCS prior to travel.

Applications were reviewed for scientific validity by a sub-committee of the FIGO/IGCS Education Committee.