Program Overview

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Introduction to the Diploma of Expertise in Onco-Hemato-Geriatrics

The Diploma of Expertise in Onco-Hemato-Geriatrics offers a unique opportunity for professionals to specialize in the comprehensive care of the adult population with cancer. This program responds to the urgent need to improve the quality of life and therapeutic outcomes in this group of patients.

General Information

Presentation

This diploma is designed not only to deepen the clinical aspects of oncological and hematological treatment but also to integrate a geriatric approach, allowing for personalized and multidisciplinary management. Students will have the opportunity to acquire essential knowledge and skills to apply comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), a fundamental tool for adapting treatments to the specific characteristics of older adults.

Objectives

The Diploma of Expertise pursues the following objectives:

• Form experts in the care of older patients with cancer, integrating oncology, hematology, and geriatrics for holistic and personalized attention.
• Develop skills to apply comprehensive geriatric assessment in clinical decision-making.
• Enable the design of individualized intervention plans, using geriatric interventions and adapting oncological treatments to the characteristics and needs of older adults with cancer.
• Foster effective collaboration between oncologists, hematologists, geriatricians, and other health professionals, promoting a multidisciplinary approach in all aspects of caring for older patients with cancer.
• Provide updated knowledge on new therapies and treatments, including immunotherapy, targeted therapies, and CAR-T cells, and their application in the geriatric population.
• Improve the ability to address the ethical, psychosocial, and emotional aspects of treating older adults, including shared decision-making and quality of life management.
• Train professionals to lead onco-geriatric teams, promoting the creation of specialized units and continuous improvement in the care of older adults with cancer.

Program Details

Diploma of Expertise

• Edition: 1st
• Credits: 20 ECTS
• Modality: Hybrid (face-to-face and virtual)
• Duration: From October 2025 to June 2026
• Schedule: Mandatory attendance is 75%
• Location: Faculty of Medicine, UAM (face-to-face sessions)
• Price: 1,500
• Number of places offered: 60 (minimum 30)
• Number of scholarships: 10% of enrollment

Plan of Studies

Plan of Studies (20 ECTS)

Subject	ECTS	Type
Module 1. Aging and Cancer
- Interaction between aging and cancer	3	Mandatory
Module 2. Application of Geriatric Principles to Older Patients with Cancer
- General aspects of geriatrics	3	Mandatory
- Frailty	3	Mandatory
- Comprehensive geriatric assessment	3	Mandatory
Module 3. Oncology and Hematology in Older Patients
- Adaptation of oncology and hematology principles to older adults with cancer	3	Mandatory
Module 4. Clinical Cases and Controversies
- Clinical cases and controversies	3	Mandatory
Final Project	2	Mandatory

Competences

Basic Competences

• Integration of multidisciplinary knowledge: Develop the ability to integrate oncology, hematology, and geriatrics knowledge to offer integral and personalized treatment to older adults with cancer.
• Capacity for clinical decision-making: Evaluate and apply comprehensive geriatric assessment principles in therapeutic decision-making.
• Leadership in multidisciplinary teams: Develop skills to lead onco-geriatric teams, promoting effective collaboration between oncologists, geriatricians, hematologists, and other health professionals.
• Ability to design adapted intervention plans: Create and execute personalized treatment plans that integrate oncological and geriatric aspects, with an emphasis on quality of life and patient-centered care.
• Knowledge of innovative treatments: Acquire competence in managing innovative treatments such as immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies, adapted to the geriatric population.

Specific Competences

• Comprehensive geriatric assessment in oncology: Apply CGA tools to have a global vision of older patients, ensuring adequate treatment.
• Management of toxicity and side effects in older patients: Evaluate and manage the side effects of oncological treatments in older adults, minimizing risks and improving treatment tolerance.
• Focus on quality of life: Identify and address factors affecting the quality of life of older adults with cancer, including symptoms, emotional well-being, and patient expectations.
• Ethical decision-making: Manage the ethical and psychosocial aspects related to the treatment of older adults, including shared decision-making and palliative care when necessary.
• Training for research in onco-geriatrics: Develop skills for clinical and applied research in onco-geriatrics, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in this field.

Faculty

Direction

• Jesus Garcia-Foncillas, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid

Subdirection

• Alicia Castelo Loureiro, Hospital Universitario Fundacion Jimenez Diaz
• Myriam Rodriguez Couso, Hospital Universitario Fundacion Jimenez Diaz

UAM Faculty

• Garcia Foncillas, Jesus, Faculty of Medicine, UAM, Professor
• Feliu Batle, Jaime, Faculty of Medicine, UAM, Professor

External Faculty

• Arechederra Calderon, Juan Jose, Hospital Universitario Guadalajara, Universidad Alcala de Henares, Specialist in Geriatrics
• Askari Askari, Elham, Hospital Universitario Jimenez Diaz, Specialist in Hematology
• Casas Herrero, Álvaro, Hospital Universitario de Navarra/Universidad Publica de Navarra, Specialist in Geriatrics
• Castelo Loureiro, Alicia, Hospital Universitario Fundacion Jimenez Diaz, Specialist in Medical Oncology
• Gomez Moreno, Carolina, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y Nutricion Salvador Zubiran, Specialist in Geriatrics
• Gonzalez Senac, Nicolas Maria, Hospital Universitario Gregorio Marańon, UCM, Specialist in Geriatrics
• Hernandez Favela, Celia Gabriela, Princess Margareth Cancer Center, Universidad de Toronto, Specialist in Geriatrics
• Hormigo Sanchez, Ana Isabel, Hospital Universitario Fundacion Jimenez Diaz, Doctor in Medicine, Specialist in Geriatrics

Admission and Enrollment

Access Requirements

• To access the Diploma of Expertise, a university degree in Medicine with training in oncology, geriatrics, hematology, or related specialties is required.

Specific Admission Requirements

• Experience in the clinical treatment of older adults, especially those with oncological and hematological diseases, is positively valued.
• An intermediate or advanced level of English is recommended to access the bibliography.
• Motivation and presentation letter: Applicants must send a motivation letter explaining their interest in onco-hemato-geriatrics, professional objectives, and why they want to participate in the course.

Selection Criteria

The selection of applications will be based on the following criteria:

• Professional experience
• Level of English
• Motivation and presentation letter

Prices and Scholarships

Prices and Scholarships

• Total Price: 1,500
• Scholarships: 10% of enrolled students

For the concession of scholarships, the following criteria will be considered:

• Situation of unemployment (40%)
• Socioeconomic situation (30%)
• Academic record and motivation letter (30%)

Employability

Professional Outcomes

The aging of the population and the increasing prevalence of cancer in older adults imply a greater need for professionals prepared to address the complex challenges faced by this population, opening up opportunities in the labor market and allowing them to:

• Lead multidisciplinary teams in onco-hemato-geriatrics, improving the care of older patients with cancer.
• Advise institutions on the creation and improvement of geriatric oncology programs, offering personalized and adapted treatments.
• Promote research in onco-geriatrics, developing new therapeutic strategies that optimize outcomes for older adults.
• Train future professionals, positioning themselves as references in onco-geriatrics and promoting continuing education.