The seminar was led by Dr. Andrew Roth, emeritus attending psychiatrist at the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), a world-renowned institution at the forefront of cancer treatment, research, and education. As Dr. Roth summarized:
“This course explores the psychological, social, emotional, and palliative care challenges faced by individuals with cancer and their families, emphasizing strategies to support coping, resilience, and quality of life. Drawing on research and clinical guidelines, it highlights evidence-based psychotherapeutic, pharmacologic, and communication approaches across the cancer continuum, while also addressing the well-being of health care professionals who deliver this care.”
Joining Dr. Roth was a faculty of experts in psychosocial oncology and supportive care: Dr. Allison Applebaum, professor of geriatrics and palliative medicine, Dr. Joseph Greer, co-director of the cancer outcomes research and education program at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, and Dr. Billy Rosa, assistant attending behavioral scientist at the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at MSKCC.
Together, the faculty brought perspectives from psychiatry, psychology, research, and nursing science. This diversity of expertise allowed participants to explore cancer care holistically, from psychological interventions and communication strategies to the systemic and relational dimensions of care delivery.
Reflecting on the week, Dr. Rosa emphasized the need for collaboration:
“As the burdens of both illness and suffering increase globally, patients and their families need the expert care of every health professional across care settings. No one clinician can or should be expected to meet all the complex needs of patients with advanced disease. A biopsychosocial approach to care is essential. Such an approach requires interprofessional collaboration, shared knowledge, partnership, and empowering all members of the team to practice to the full extent of their training. This course – taught by multidisciplinary faculty and delivered for multidisciplinary fellows – addresses this global need by providing the holistic knowledge and skills needed to address the challenges facing today’s world. Every health professional is in this together and it’s time we start fashioning education and training as if this were true.”
The program combined lectures, case discussions, and interactive workshops where fellows engaged with one another and the faculty to address real world scenarios. These sessions provided space to discuss issues such as caregiver burden, communication of difficult news, management of anxiety and depression in patients, and the emotional toll of oncology work on clinicians.
The interdisciplinary composition of both faculty and fellows enriched the exchange of ideas. Participants shared their experiences from a variety of clinical and cultural contexts, creating a collaborative learning environment that went beyond disciplines and, more importantly, beyond borders.
We extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Roth and the entire faculty for their dedication to advancing psychosocial oncology education. Their commitment to equipping healthcare professionals with tools to support not just patients, but also families and caregivers, made this seminar an exceptional opportunity for all participants. Interdisciplinarity remains vital in creating a shared understanding for the complex challenges of cancer care and for medicine as a whole.
Magnus Nzenwa
OMI fellow from Nigeria
“The most profound moment of the seminar happened during a role-play session with Dr. Rosa. I stepped into the role of a patient. For a moment, I was back home, standing with patients who had carried silence for too long. It was the first time I truly felt the power of being seen in a therapeutic space.”
Tatevik Arakelyan
OMI fellow from Armenia
“Dr. Roth, a true expert in his field, introduced us to the main concepts of psychosocial oncology. His sense of humor lightened the complex topic, helped the audience feel at ease, and kept people engaged without changing the seriousness of the subject.”
Ravshan Abdusattorov
OMI fellow from Uzbekistan
“Dr. Greer held an inspiring lecture on communication skills for discussing prognosis. His message that cancer cannot take who you are and that you are bigger than cancer touched something deep within me. This approach will definitely influence how I communicate with patients in my own practice.”
Maria Stefa
OMI fellow from Greece
“The fellows’ case presentations made the whole training truly interactive, as they gave us the chance to discuss real patient cases, even in one-on-one conversations. Although I felt nervous about giving my own presentation in front of everyone, in the end, I was really glad I shared that experience.”
