Journal article
Why an Increasing Number of Unmatched Residency Positions in Radiation Oncology? A Survey of Fourth-Year Medical Students
Advances in radiation oncology, Vol.6(5), pp.100743-100743
09/01/2021
DOI: 10.1016/j.adro.2021.100743
PMCID: PMC8385400
PMID: 34466713
Abstract
Purpose: The number of US fourth-year medical students applying to radiation oncology has decreased during the past few years. We conducted a survey of fourth-year medical students to examine factors that may be influencing the decision to pursue radiation oncology.
Methods and Materials: An anonymous online survey was sent to medical students at 9 participating US medical schools.
Results: A total of 232 medical students completed the survey. Of the 153 students who stated they were never interested in radiation oncology, 77 (50%) reported never having been exposed to the specialty as their reason for not pursuing radiation oncology. The job market was the most commonly cited factor among students who said they were once interested in but ultimately chose not to pursue radiation oncology. Conversely, the recent low pass rates for board examinations and a perception of a lack of diversity within radiation oncology had the least influence.
Conclusions: Despite discussion of potential measures to address this disquieting trend, there have been minimal formal attempts to characterize and address potential causes of a decreasing interest in radiation oncology. This study's data are consistent with previous research regarding the trend of decreased medical student interest in radiation oncology and may be used as part of ongoing introspective assessment to inform future change within radiation oncology. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of American Society for Radiation Oncology.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Why an Increasing Number of Unmatched Residency Positions in Radiation Oncology? A Survey of Fourth-Year Medical Students
- Creators
- Grace C. Blitzer - University of Wisconsin–MadisonAkash D. Parekh - University of FloridaShuai Chen - University of California, DavisKekoa Taparra - Gundersen Health SystemJenna M. Kahn - Oregon Health & Science UniversityEmma C. Fields - Virginia Commonwealth UniversityJohn M. Stahl - University of Alabama at BirminghamStephen A. Rosenberg - Moffitt Cancer CenterJohn M. Buatti - University of IowaAnna M. Laucis - University of Michigan–Ann ArborYichu Wang - University of LiverpoolDavid L. Mayhew - Dana-Farber Cancer InstituteAndrew M. McDonald - University of Alabama at BirminghamPaul M. Harari - University of Wisconsin–MadisonJeffrey Brower - University of Wisconsin–Madison
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Advances in radiation oncology, Vol.6(5), pp.100743-100743
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.adro.2021.100743
- PMID
- 34466713
- PMCID
- PMC8385400
- NLM abbreviation
- Adv Radiat Oncol
- ISSN
- 2452-1094
- eISSN
- 2452-1094
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Number of pages
- 4
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 09/01/2021
- Academic Unit
- Radiation Oncology; Neurosurgery; Otolaryngology
- Record Identifier
- 9984303898002771
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