Badge Information for Cancer Kitso: Clinical Management – Level 1
Above: example of the digital badge
What is a digital badge?
A digital badge is an online representation of a skill, achievement, or certification that an individual has earned. Digital badges are often used in education and professional development to recognize learning and accomplishments that take place outside of traditional classroom settings. Each badge typically includes information, stored digitally, about the skills or knowledge that has been acquired and about the organization that issued the badge. Digital badges can be used to demonstrate expertise or to qualify for certain opportunities and can be shared on social media, websites, and résumés.
Training course description and competencies related to the digital badge
This digital badge is issued when an individual fulfills certain requirements for the Cancer Kitso: Clinical Management – Level 1 training course. Cancer Kitso: Clinical Management – Level 1 is a synchronous hybrid course designed for members of the Botswana health care workforce who care for cancer patients. This course covers fundamentals of cancer care and prevention, including knowledge, responsibilities, and clinical management. Participants learn the principles and practices of cancer care and prevention through this Level 1 course. Through this course, participants discuss cancer basics, cancer screenings, treatment modalities of the common cancers, palliative care, patient navigation, and referral pathways within Botswana health systems.
The Cancer Kitso: Clinical Management – Level 1 course consists of five sessions scheduled within a two-month timeframe. There is a final exam at the end of the course; participants must earn a minimum of 70 percent (70%) on the final exam, which can be taken up to two times, to receive the digital badge.
The Cancer Kitso: Clinical Management – Level 1 badge is issued by Rutgers Global Health Institute. The digital badge itself is free for those who successfully complete the training course requirements. The training course is free for physicians, nurses, pharmacists, pharmacist technicians, and social workers who work at public oncology centers in Botswana.
Session 1: Cancer Basics and Navigation, from Symptoms to Treatment Planning
This session examines the fundamental concepts underlying the onset and behavior of cancer, as well as the five most prevalent cancers in Botswana, cancer epidemiology, and best practices for oncology care. The course includes assessment, diagnosis, and staging of common cancers so that best practices can be applied and adapted to the individual needs of each patient, allowing for prompt formulation of the most effective treatment and therapy.
Session 2: Cancer Treatment Modalities, Drug Therapies, and Adverse Effects
This session presents the fundamentals of cancer treatment modalities, such as surgery, systemic therapy, and radiation. Participants examine the pharmacology, key toxicities, and dosing of cancer-treating systemic agents. Participants learn to identify the mechanisms and key toxicities of these pharmacologic agents by the end of the session.
Session 3: Chemotherapy in Cancer Treatment and Care
This session provides an overview of chemotherapy as systemic therapy and the cornerstone of cancer treatment. Participants learn about the common side effects of chemotherapy and how to avoid or manage them. Additionally, participants learn about the supportive therapies used to mitigate the side effects of chemotherapy.
Session 4: Palliative Care for Cancer Patients
This session focuses on the basic concepts of palliative care for cancer patients. Participants learn why a holistic approach to cancer palliative care, including its structures, components, and provisions, is critical. Palliative care is viewed as encompassing the cancer care continuum and the patient’s illness trajectory from initial diagnosis to survivorship and/or end of life.
Session 5: Putting It All Together: A Patient’s Journey in Oncology Care and Strengthening Health Systems
This session synthesizes the clinical cancer content covered in Sessions 1–4, relates it to aspects of the patient experience, and discusses the local institutional capacities for managing situations for people living with and beyond cancer. Participants gain knowledge of cancer from a human and social standpoint. This involves gaining an understanding of the patient’s journey through patient navigation, referral pathways, and survivorship care.
Learn More
Visit globalhealth.rutgers.edu/botswana for more information about the Cancer Kitso training program and the Botswana-Rutgers Partnership for Health.
If you have specific questions about your participation in the training program or your digital badge, please contact your supervisor or training coordinator.