There are a number of medical oncologists and pain specialists involved in developing palliative care education and training within existing hospital oncology and pain units.

Gazi University Hospital, Ankara

Dr Deniz Yamac, who was introduced to the concepts of palliative care whilst completing training in oncology at Arkansas Cancer Institute, US, has been running short sessions and day workshops from her oncology unit since 2000. These are designed for other medical faculty members and resident physicians. There is a separate programme for medical students. In 2005, Dr Yamac is starting to set up workshops for nurses in the oncology unit. She is also involved in a project - starting in 2005, funded by private health insurance - to train nurses in home care for cancer patients.³³

Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine

Professor Serdar Erdine is actively involved in public and professional education promoting the principles of palliative care and pain relief using opioids. Using his 25 years of experience and extensive knowledge of pain relief, he explains that he and other colleagues are trying to alleviate people’s fears of cancer by raising public awareness, through TV and articles in journals and newspapers, of the effectiveness of opioids in relieving cancer pain. He is also organising a campaign to educate physicians about the safety and efficacy of using opioids.

Gulhane Military Academy,(GATA), Ankara

Dr Seref Komurçu, who trained as a fellow in palliative care at the Cleveland Clinic, US, is now teaching palliative care to colleagues in his oncology unit.