gms | German Medical Science

Since 1994 both German Societies for Psychooncology (PSO and dapo) are running a curriculum for education of psychooncology. This curriculum has been developed as a interdisciplinary approach addressing different professional groups such as psychologists, physicians, social worker and others. The curriculum is combining theory and practical training. A wide range of topics is covered including medical and psychosocial aspects of cancer, epidemiology as well as psychological treatment approaches. The training courses are divided in a basic and advanced course. Participant who have successfully completed the courses receive acertificateby German Cancer Society. The organisational structure is based on a charity organisation which is working in four sections (North, East, West, South) all over Germany. Within the last ten years more than 900 professionals have completed the training programm. All courses are systematically evaluated and are undergoing a continuous feedback process of optimizing and adapting the contents to the increasing knowledge in the field of psychooncology. Recent developments focus on specialized training programs for psychotherapists and physicians.