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In support of the NCI goal to eliminate suffering and death due to cancer,
the Office of Education and Special Initiatives (OESI) develops, implements,
and evaluates education programs across the cancer continuum. OESI also
manages NCI initiatives and programs that focus upon NCI special priorities
in cancer research and treatment in addition to cancer education models that
best target these areas.
Through education programs and special initiatives, OESI translates cancer
discovery and development into improved health outcomes and enhancing
quality of life for all people.
Education Programs
The Office of Education and Special Initiatives (OESI) supports the National Cancer Institute's strategic priorities with major education program areas summarized below. In addition, reducing cancer health disparities is an overarching goal that is integrated throughout all OESI programs to increase access to and use of cancer communications by underserved and disparately vulnerable populations.
The Clinical Trials Education Series (CTES) seeks to increase awareness of, knowledge of, and enrollment in clinical trials. OESI has developed and continues to refine its clinical trials education curriculum package and to assist intermediaries in developing tailored education programs for lay and professional audiences. Clinical Trial Education Series (CTES) is a group of over 10 different educational resources, including workbooks, brochures, PowerPoint slides on CDs, videos, and Spanish language content, to target education and outreach for health professionals and patients. This series also includes Web-based continuing education courses entitled, "Incorporating Clinical Trials Into Your Practice" and "Human Participant Protections Education for Research Teams."
http://nci.nih.gov/clinicaltrials/learning/clinical-trials-education-series
The Breast Cancer Screening Education Program creates messages and educational materials for professionals who counsel women about breast cancer risk, screening, and participation in cancer prevention trials. OESI works through intermediaries to assure the broadest dissemination, and to reach the estimated 30 percent of women who are rarely or never screened for breast cancer as well as women 65 years and older. OESI maintains an inventory of Federal programs and products with the goal of synchronizing NCI's materials with other federal programs to maximize efforts and impact.
The Cervical Cancer Screening Education Program develops and provides culturally-appropriate, easy-to-use messages to help health professionals reinforce the importance of routine cervical cancer screening and follow-up. The program's dissemination strategy seeks to address two significant problems: the disparities in the utilization of screening for cervical cancer; and the problem of attrition between their screening and follow-up treatment for many impoverished women. In partnership with other Federal and non-Federal agencies, OESI provides technical assistance, evaluates materials and conducts needs assessments. The Office maintains an inventory of Federal agencies' cervical cancer education programs and products for use by advocacy organizations and partners.
The Prostate Cancer Education Program develops and distributes educational materials about a range of prostate conditions, including screening, abnormal test results, biopsy and cancer treatment options. The Program helps men and their families make more informed decisions about care of prostate conditions and if there is a cancer diagnosis, evaluate treatment options and their impact on lifelong side effects. For black men, the problem is critical due to a ±60% higher incidence rate and two-fold higher mortality rate than white men. OESI is developing and evaluating treatment decision aids for patients and their families, including products tailored for African-American populations, to address this problem.
The Understanding Cancer Risk Program helps individuals better understand the general concepts of cancer risks. The Program's web site helps people assess their own personal risk, and understand the contribution of genetic inheritance to their risk profile. The program's goal is to render people more informed consumers and decision makers in order to act on cancer risk information, to better evaluate risk information in the media, and to talk with their doctors about personal cancer risk.
Improving Literacy in Cancer Education improves comprehension of cancer-related information, especially for patients and families with limited literacy skills, through the use of appropriate reading levels, formats, language and cultural relevance. Companion materials for health care providers will be developed so they can assist their patients in understanding cancer information. As part of this program, OESI "trans-creates" products that are linguistically and culturally relevant for Spanish speakers.
The Palliative Care Education Program assesses the need for and develops new materials for patients, public, caregivers and health professionals about the management of symptoms and side effects of cancer and its treatment, including pain management and palliative care. OESI works with partner organizations to make educational materials available to oncology health professionals and disseminates training through a train-the-trainer model and other channels/formats to provide them with tools to educate themselves and their peers about palliative and end-of-life care.
The Education Series for Youth with Cancer in their Family is a program developed to meet the emotional and informational needs of young people with cancer in their families. Print and web-based resources help youth and family members cope with and understand the cancer diagnosis and treatment process. The program creates developmentally appropriate materials for youth who have cancer themselves, for adolescents with cancer in their families, and parents who have children with cancer.
The Patient and Family Education Program develops education and communication tools to enhance patient decision-making about cancer care and treatment. These products help patients and their families to make treatment decisions, manage cancer-related symptoms, develop coping strategies, and improve communication with their health care providers and their family members.
The Facing Forward Series for Survivors is a set of educational products that address the diverse and often unexpected challenges survivors and their families can face after cancer treatment. Materials are disseminated through partners, who conduct trainings and educational activities with patients and health care professionals, especially those that serve minority populations. For these professionals, OESI develops products on the medical care needs of cancer survivors, including the long term and latent effects of cancer treatment.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/life-after-treatment
Broadening Distribution of NCI Education Resources is an OESI program to evaluate new methods for the delivery of information to ensure that a small supply of materials can reach as many people and organizations as possible in a cost-effective way. The program also works with cancer patient educators to explore the best formats in which to package educational information to make it easy for patients and professionals to access and use.
The Disseminating Evidence for Quality Cancer Care Program promotes the use of evidence-based practices among cancer care professionals. The program supports a needs analysis to assess the education and information needs of cancer care professionals and identifies the most effective activities to bridge the gap between research and practice. The program will explore models for delivery systems that can reach cancer care professionals in NCI-sponsored cancer centers and in non-NCI-affiliated centers.
Contact OESI Staff
If you are interested in one of these education programs or interested in collaborating with NCI's OESI, please call our main Office number or e-mail us and ask to speak with a Program Manager.
Office of Education and Special Initiatives, NCI, NIH, DHHS
6116 Executive Blvd., Suite 202
Bethesda, MD 20892-8334 (regular mail)
Rockville, MD 20852 (courier mail)
Phone: 301-496-6792
Fax: 301-496-7063
E-mail: ncipoetinfo@mail.nih.gov
To download free promotional materials on NCI's education programs, visit OESI's partnership web page at:
http://ncipoet.cancer.gov
To order free NCI education materials, visit the NCI's Publications Locator at:
http://cancer.gov/publications
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