Boost Your Skills with the SGM Cancer CARE Workshop: A Guide for Practitioners
The landscape of healthcare is ever-evolving, and with it comes the need for practitioners to continually enhance their skills and knowledge. One area that has gained increasing attention is the health equity of sexual and gender minorities (SGM) in cancer care. The Piloting the Sexual and Gender Minority Cancer Curricular Advances for Research and Education (SGM Cancer CARE) Workshop: Research Training in the Service of SGM Cancer Health Equity offers a unique opportunity for practitioners to improve their skills in this crucial area.
Understanding the Need for SGM-Focused Training
The disparities faced by SGM individuals in cancer care are well-documented. Factors such as discrimination, lack of culturally competent care, and inadequate data collection contribute to these inequities. The SGM Cancer CARE workshop addresses these gaps by providing tailored training for early-career researchers and healthcare providers.
The Workshop Structure
The workshop is structured into four key modules:
- Epidemiology and Population-Level Research: This module covers essential epidemiological concepts and the importance of inclusive data collection.
- Clinical Cancer Research: Focuses on strategies to include SGM patients in clinical trials and addresses barriers to participation.
- Behavioral Science & Interventions: Highlights frameworks for conducting research with diverse SGM communities.
- Community-Based Participatory Approaches: Teaches how to establish partnerships with SGM communities for effective research engagement.
The Impact of the Workshop
The workshop has shown significant success in increasing participants' knowledge and confidence in conducting SGM cancer research. Participants reported marked improvements in their understanding of core concepts, as well as increased preparedness to conduct culturally relevant research. The virtual format also allowed greater accessibility, removing financial barriers associated with travel.
Encouraging Further Research
The success of the SGM Cancer CARE workshop highlights the importance of continued education and research in this field. Practitioners are encouraged to explore further opportunities for learning and collaboration to enhance their ability to provide equitable care for SGM individuals.
If you're a practitioner looking to improve your skills in SGM cancer research, consider participating in future iterations of this workshop or similar educational programs. By doing so, you can contribute to a more inclusive healthcare environment that meets the needs of all patients.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Piloting the Sexual and Gender Minority Cancer Curricular Advances for Research and Education (SGM Cancer CARE) Workshop: Research Training in the Service of SGM Cancer Health Equity.
