A Medical-Ethical Dilemma Workshop

CPOG has developed a format for approaching medical/ethical problems encountered in caring for persons with cancer. The program is a one day workshop where case studies are presented and an ethical protocol, designed by Dr. George Simms, is used to resolve the ethical issues involved. The program is also designed to provide legal and ethical guidelines in death and dying with attention to cancer.

There is a need for better communicating efforts among cancer patients, their family members and friends and their health care professionals. CPOG sponsors this day long seminar for health-care professionals, clergy, social workers, volunteers, relatives and friends of cancer patients and cancer patients themselves. Communication strategies and situations are discussed followed by practical application through case presentations. Through these workshops, participants are trained in skills needed to facilitate communications with persons with cancer.

For medical professionals and general public. The Group initiated a major annual one day educational program in the field of cancer.

The following is a history of topics presented for the CPOG Annual Conference:

On September 21, 1989, CPOG hosted Dr. Bernie Siegel, author of "Love, Medicine and Miracles", to present a full day conference on his concepts as described in his book.

The 1990 conference was held in Harrisburg with two presentors Dr. Harold Benjamin, founder of the Wellness Community and Dr. Michael Lerner, founder and director of Commonweal.

The 1991 conference focused on "The Power Within" and the book's author, Wendy Williams, together with two cancer survivors from her book, presented a day-long program in Harrisburg.

Margo McCaffrey, R.N., was the moderator at the most recent conference which focused on the management of cancer pain. Dr. McCaffrey presented another conference in the Fall of 1994.

On November 16, 1995, Dr. Henry Pfifferling presented a half-day seminar for nurses on "How to Work with and Understand Physicians" and also presented a short workshop to CPOG physicians on that same date dealing with work-related burn-out.

On November 21, 1996, Dr. Paul J. Friday presented a half day seminar on the "Impact of Cancer Pain on the Professional Caregiver: How Humor can Help and Heal" to an audience of nurses and other allied health care professionals.

The 1998 annual conference, "Genetics and Cancer Symposium", provided current information about aspects of genetic research and its impact on oncology. Speakers presented on the following topics: Genetics overview, Screening for Genetic Cancer, Genetic Counseling and How to Start A Community Hereditary Cancer Program. In 1998 Margo McCaffrey once again presented a whole day program on the management of cancer pain.

This two-day didactic program teaches detection of various cancers. It focuses on risk factors and signs and symptoms of cancers, current screenings and treatments, and will now also have a component on cancer pain management. It includes at the end of each teaching session, a hand-on demonstration where appropriate.

This one day session oriented workshop is designed to provide a foundation on cancer information including pathophysiology, staging and grading systems and site specific cancer information. Early detection of cancer and carcinogenesis theory are also discussed.

Primarily for Dietitians and Nutritionists

This day long program provides the latest available speakers and information on nutrition and cancer. It focuses on the many problems which are encountered in keeping cancer patients well-nourished. It also presents lectures on alternative and experimental nutritional therapies. Medical professionals get many questions from cancer patients concerning these new therapies.

This one day program is aimed at health care providers and the patient/survivor. The agenda for the day focused on different kinds of complementary therapies; Acupuncture, Herbal Remedies, laughter therapy, Energy Medicine, Therapeutic Touch, Meditation and Visualization and Spiritual Healing and how they interact with traditional cancer treatments. CPOG is going to make every effort to have some type of complementary program, such as this one, each fiscal year.

This 2 day program teaches other professionals from other geographical areas about breast cancer and how to start a support group for patients through our educational format. The format was developed from our actual support group for breast cancer patients, which is a ten-week educational support group. All phases of breast cancer, from diagnosis to treatment options are covered and information on methods for bonding the group and setting it up are also offered.

This day long program was designed to address new information on the identification and treatment of some complex physiologic changes in the oncology patient.