An Increase in Medical Student Knowledge of Radiation Oncology: A Pre–Post Examination Analysis of the Oncology Education Initiative

Hirsch, Ariel E.; Bishop, Pauline Mulleady; Dad, Luqman; Singh, Deeptej; Slanetz, Priscilla J.

doi:10.1016/j.ijrobp.2008.12.012

Cited by 37 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Hirsch et al established the Oncology Education Initiative in an effort to advance oncology and radiation oncology education at the medical school level (3). This group demonstrated that even a single didactic lecture within the radiology clerkship was sufficient to improve knowledge of radiation oncology (13). Over 80% of students expressed motivation to learn more about the subject or take oncology electives, and 32% of students pursued further training in radiation oncology.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A National Radiation Oncology Medical Student Clerkship Survey: Didactic Curricular Components Increase Confidence in Clinical Competency

Jagadeesan¹,

Raleigh²,

Koshy³

et al. 2014

International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics

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Purpose/Objectives Students applying to radiation oncology residency programs complete one or more radiation oncology clerkships. This study assesses student experiences and perspectives during radiation oncology clerkships. The impact of didactic components and number of clerkship experiences in relation to confidence in clinical competency and preparation to function as a first year radiation oncology resident are evaluated. Methods and Materials An anonymous, internet-based survey was sent via direct e-mail to all applicants to a single radiation oncology residency program during the 2012–2013 academic year. The survey was composed of three main sections including questions regarding baseline demographic information and prior radiation oncology experience, rotation experiences, and ideal clerkship curriculum content. Results The survey response rate was 37% (70/188). Respondents reported 191 unique clerkship experiences. 27% of respondents (19/70) completed at least one clerkship with a didactic component geared towards their level of training. Completing a clerkship with a didactic component was significantly associated with a respondent’s confidence to function as a first- year radiation oncology resident (Wilcoxon rank-sum p = 0.03). However, the total number of clerkships completed did not correlate with confidence to pursue radiation oncology as a specialty (Spearman’s rho p = 0.48) or confidence to function as a first year resident (Spearman’s rho p = 0.43). Conclusions Based on responses to this survey, rotating students perceive that the majority of radiation oncology clerkships do not have formal didactic curricula. Survey respondents who completed a clerkship with a didactic curriculum reported feeling more prepared to function as a radiation oncology resident. However, completing an increasing number of clerkships does not appear to improve confidence in the decision to pursue radiation oncology as a career or to function as a radiation oncology resident. These results support further development of structured didactic curricula for the radiation oncology clerkship.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A National Radiation Oncology Medical Student Clerkship Survey: Didactic Curricular Components Increase Confidence in Clinical Competency

Jagadeesan¹,

Raleigh²,

Koshy³

et al. 2014

International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics

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“…Conventional methods aimed at medical students or FPs through continuing medical education sessions, whether virtual or in-person have been assessed in multiple medical fields [13]. Several authors have reported on education of medical students, showing short term improvements in knowledge, with limited evidence to date that this will translate into long term practice changes for those who choose FP [20-23]. Dennis and Duncan have recommended that educational interventions for medical students should focus on general knowledge that is applicable to future FPs, rather than detailed information more relevant to oncologists [13].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationships between family physicians’ referral for palliative radiotherapy, knowledge of indications for radiotherapy, and prior training: a survey of rural and urban family physicians

et al. 2012

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BackgroundThe primary objective of this research was to assess the relationship between FPs’ knowledge of palliative radiotherapy (RT) and referral for palliative RT.Methods1001 surveys were sent to FPs who work in urban, suburban, and rural practices. Respondents were tested on their knowledge of palliative radiotherapy effectiveness and asked to report their self-assessed knowledge.ResultsThe response rate was 33%. FPs mean score testing their knowledge of palliative radiotherapy effectiveness was 68% (SD = 26%). The majority of FPs correctly identified that painful bone metastases (91%), airway obstruction (77%), painful local disease (85%), brain metastases (76%) and spinal cord compression (79%) can be effectively treated with RT, though few were aware that hemoptysis (42%) and hematuria (31%) can be effectively treated. There was a linear relationship between increasing involvement in palliative care and both self-assessed (p < 0.001) and tested (p = 0.02) knowledge. FPs had higher mean knowledge scores if they received post-MD training in palliative care (12% higher; p < 0.001) or radiotherapy (15% higher; p = 0.002). There was a strong relationship between FPs referral for palliative radiotherapy and both self-assessed knowledge (p < 0.001) and tested knowledge (p = 0.01).ConclusionsSelf-assessed and tested knowledge of palliative RT is positively associated with referral for palliative RT. Since palliative RT is underutilized, further research is needed to assess whether family physician educational interventions improve palliative RT referrals. The current study suggests that studies could target family physicians already in practice, with educational interventions focusing on hemostatic and other less commonly known indications for palliative RT.

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“…We have conducted a sister study, which built on earlier analysis of the Initiative's education goals, by performing pre and post-lecture examinations. 15 Results demonstrate that medical students, even without prior exposure to radiation oncology, are able to incorporate and retain new information about radiation oncology and oncology in a statistically significant manner (p <0.5). 15…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…For instance, despite the fact that 60% of all cancer patients will require radiotherapy as part of their treatment, radiation oncology is one of the lesser known of the oncologyrelated disciplines. [12][13][14][15] In a 2001 survey of family physicians and residents, only one third reported having any formal training in radiotherapy. 13 In fact, a large majority stated "[they]did not have adequate knowledge of radiotherapy."…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Oncology Education Initiative: Successful Incorporation of Multidisciplinary Oncology Education into the Core Radiology Clerkship

2011

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The standard of cancer management is multidisciplinary care, yet most medical schools teach systems-based oncology. This format, while excellent for systems-based diseases, such as cardiovascular and pulmonary, can be disjointed for oncology. As part of a broader Oncology Education Initiative emphasizing horizontal integration of cancer education, a didactic lecture by an attending radiation oncologist was incorporated into the core radiology clerkship. This study presents the attitudes of students towards this didactic session. Of the 137 fourth-year students (total n=152) who completed the study, a majority expressed dissatisfaction with their exposure to cancer topics/patients in the pre-clinical years. 91% believed that radiation oncology was important in medical education, but 64% knew little about radiation oncology prior to the Initiative. Afterward, 38% of the students stated that they felt more comfortable managing patients with cancer. 90% reported a better appreciation of multidisciplinary cancer management. 96% felt that the radiology clerkship was an opportune format for this training. Horizontal integration of medical and radiation oncology and radiology was viewed favorably.

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An Increase in Medical Student Knowledge of Radiation Oncology: A Pre–Post Examination Analysis of the Oncology Education Initiative

Cited by 37 publications

References 7 publications

A National Radiation Oncology Medical Student Clerkship Survey: Didactic Curricular Components Increase Confidence in Clinical Competency

A National Radiation Oncology Medical Student Clerkship Survey: Didactic Curricular Components Increase Confidence in Clinical Competency

Relationships between family physicians’ referral for palliative radiotherapy, knowledge of indications for radiotherapy, and prior training: a survey of rural and urban family physicians

The Oncology Education Initiative: Successful Incorporation of Multidisciplinary Oncology Education into the Core Radiology Clerkship

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