BackgroundTo present learning outcomes in clinical communication for a Core Curriculum for medical undergraduate students in Latin America, Portugal and Spain (LAPS-CCC) and to establish an expert network to support a transnational implementation.MethodsThrough an iterative process, an international group of 15 experts developed an initial set of learning outcomes following a review and discussion of relevant international and local literature. A two-round Delphi survey involving 46 experts from 8 countries was performed. Quantative and qualitative analisis permited the definition of the final consensus.ResultsThe initial proposal included 157 learning outcomes. The Delphi process generated 734 comments and involved the modification, deletion and addition of some outcomes. At the end of the process, a consensus was reached on 136 learning outcomes grouped under 6 competency domains with a high overall acceptance (95.1 %).ConclusionsThe learning outcomes of this proposal provide a guide to introduce, support and develop communication curriculae for undergraduate medical studies in the countries involved or in other Spanish- or Portuguese-speaking countries.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12909-016-0610-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The European Spanish PAM-13 is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing activation in patients with chronic disease in Spain. We suggest adding new items to the instrument so as to examine patients with higher activation levels in the future. Further studies are needed to evaluate the usefulness of this new Spanish PAM-13 in different settings and populations, as well as to examine the relationship between PAM-13 scores and other health-related outcomes.

ResumenIntroducción: Según datos de la SEOM, existen en la actualidad más de un millón y medio de supervivientes de cáncer en España. El objetivo de este estudio es el desarrollo y evaluación de un cuestionario para medir las necesidades no cubiertas de supervivientes de cáncer.Método: Se desarrolló y evaluó un cuestionario auto-administrado para detectar las necesidades no cubiertas de supervivientes de cáncer.

The aim of the study was to evaluate quality of cancer care in Spain through patient's views, experiences and perceptions; with the purpose of making recommendations to improve cancer care. A modified citizen's jury was organised with the participation of 30 members and four experts as witnesses. For 1 day jurors representing 13 of 17 Spanish Autonomous Communities were met to make recommendations for improving the quality of cancer care in Spain. Concerns were identified regarding care fragmentation, test delays, duplications and poor social and emotional support. Some recommendations highlighted the need to improve the access to psycho-oncology care as well as support in social care and counselling, addressing patients to specific care. Some strategies proposed by the jury included a 24-h call centre, continuity in palliative care and appropriate follow-up and support after the end of therapy. In conclusion, the experience of cancer should include access to multiple specialists, effective coordination of care, accurate information about the disease and treatment options, and timely attention to symptoms and psychosocial needs.