‎Completion of the GPO Education Program is a requirement for family physicians newly hired as GPOs in BC and the Yukon (both within community cancer clinics and at BC Cancer Centres). The program provides opportunity to gain the foundational knowledge, skills, and confidence to administer systemic therapy, and to provide supportive care to cancer patients and their families.

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The program includes a two-week didactic introductory module, offered in February and September, followed by 30 days of flexibly scheduled clinical rotation at the BC Cancer Centre where the GPO's patients are referred. During the clinical rotations, systemic therapy orders need to be co-signed by a medical oncologist or qualified GPO.  

BC Cancer developed the GPO Education Program in 2004, with the support of the UBC's Department of Family Practice Enhanced Skills Program, and with input from many family physicians and oncologists. Special thanks are also extended to BC Cancer physicians and members of the GPO Education Program Working Group who deliver the education and ensure the currency and value of the curriculum.

Ninety-three family physicians from 33 communities have completed the program to date and are actively practising as General Practitioners in Oncology. (See GPO Map.) BC Cancer also trains GPOs and Nurse Practitioners for its various sites through this program.  

The Introductory Module is accredited as below. 

The University of British Columbia Division of Continuing Professional Development (UBC CPD) is fully accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Continuing Medical Education (CACME) to provide study credits for continuing medical education for physicians. This Introductory Module of this course has been reviewed and approved by the UBC CPD. This Group Learning course meets the certification criteria of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and has been certified by UBC CPD for up to 62.75 Mainpro+ credits. Each physician should claim only those credits he/she actually spent in the activity.

Those who complete the 30 days of Clinical Rotation can claim 50 Self-Learning, Mainpro+ credits under the College of Family Physicians of Canada's Clinical Traineeship/Preceptorship category. Additional credits can be claimed under the Other Non-certified Learning Activities category.

Those who are from RSA (Rural Subsidiary Agreement communities) can apply through the Rural Education Action Plan's (REAP) Advance Skills and Training Program to receive a stipend and to have their travel and accommodation expenses covered. 

Contact: 

Hillary Kovach, UBC Department of Family Medicine, Tel 604.827.1504

REAP Application

REAP Details

Physicians from other communities can apply to UBC’s Department of Family Practice Enhanced Skills Program  to receive remuneration at a third year residency level while they are in the program. 

Contact: 

Lindsay Gowland, Program Coordinator, Enhanced Skills Program

Tel. 604.822.0869

Enhanced Skills Program Application 

There is also a scholarship opportunity available from the Canadian Association of General Practitioners in Oncology.