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Successful integration of radiation oncology in preclinical medical education

Experiences with an interdisciplinary training project

Erfolgreiche Integration der Radioonkologie in die präklinische medizinische Ausbildung

Erfahrungen mit einem interdisziplinären Lehrprojekt

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Abstract

Purpose

Modern impartation of both anatomic and radiation oncology (RO) knowledge in medical education enables a transfer of preclinical knowledge to clinical practice, which may be addressed by multidisciplinary concepts. The faculty’s “Anatomy and imaging” course attempts to integrate RO, radiology and nuclear medicine into the preclinical curriculum. The present analysis focuses on the description of the course concept and discusses the potential didactic impact of the implementation of RO.

Methods

In total 5 semester cohorts have undertaken the course since the introduction of RO in the winter semester of 2015/2016 with 682 students participating. It is designed as a small group circuit training with a teaching content of 8 h daily. Course evaluation was performed on a 100-item Likert scale.

Results

General evaluation showed an average of 9.3–12.7 on a Likert scale (0 being the best, 100 being the worst grade). Use of media, relevance for medical training, gain of interest in medicine in general and overall satisfaction with the course received excellent mean values. For RO, there was a high degree of consent with the following statements: “the course was well organized”, “subjects and presentation were well-structured”, “topics were well chosen”, “the time for exercises was sufficient” and “teaching by student tutors and physicians was adequate”.

Conclusion

The present evaluation demonstrates the feasibility of introducing RO in the preclinical part of medical education. The course concept shows excellent results in evaluation and may help in broadening RO knowledge and in recruiting new doctoral candidates and residents.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel

Die moderne Vermittlung von anatomischen und radioonkologischem (RO) Lehrinhalten schafft eine Verknüpfung von präklinischem und klinischem Wissen, was in Form interdisziplinärer Konzepte gelingen kann. Der Kurs „Anatomie und Bildgebung“ integriert RO, Radiologie und Nuklearmedizin in das präklinische Curriculum. Die vorliegende Analyse liefert eine Beschreibung des Kurskonzeptes und diskutiert die potentiellen didaktischen Auswirkungen der Implementierung der RO.

Methodik

Insgesamt durchliefen 5 Semesterkohorten mit 682 Studierenden den Kurs seit der Einführung der RO im Wintersemester 2015/2016. Der Kurs ist als Kleingruppenunterricht im Sinne eines Zirkeltrainings aufgebaut mit 8 Lehrmodulen täglich. Die Kursevaluation fand mittels einer 100-Punkt Likert-Skala statt.

Ergebnisse

Die Gesamtevaluation zeigte einen Durchschnittswert von 9,3–12,7 auf der Likert-Skala (0 als beste, 100 als schlechteste Note). Der Medieneinsatz, die Relevanz für die spätere ärztliche Tätigkeit, die Steigerung des Interesses am Studienfach Medizin sowie die Zufriedenheit mit dem Kurs wurden sehr gut bewertet. Für die RO bestand ein hoher Konsens mit den Aussagen: „Das Lehrmodul war gut organisiert“. „Lehrstoff und Präsentation waren gut strukturiert“. „Die Themen waren gut ausgewählt“. „Die Übungszeit war ausreichend“. „Die Vermittlung durch studentische Tutoren und Ärzte war adäquat“.

Schlussfolgerung

Die vorliegende Auswertung zeigt die Möglichkeit auf, die RO in die präklinische Lehre zu integrieren. Das Konzept weist exzellente Evaluationsergebnisse auf und kann dazu beitragen RO Wissen zu vermitteln und potentielle neue Doktoranden und Assistenzärztinnen und -ärzte zu rekrutieren.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1 A1, 48149, Muenster, Germany

    Michael Oertel MD & Hans Theodor Eich

  2. Institute of Anatomy and Vascular Biology, University of Muenster, Vesaliusweg 2–4, 48149, Muenster, Germany

    Martina Schmitz

  3. Institute of Medical Education and Student Affairs, University of Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1 A6, 48149, Muenster, Germany

    Jan Carl Becker

  4. Institute of Anatomy and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Muenster, Vesaliusweg 2–4, 48149, Muenster, Germany

    Anna Schober

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  1. Michael Oertel MD
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  3. Jan Carl Becker
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  4. Hans Theodor Eich
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Correspondence to Michael Oertel MD.

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Conflict of interest

M. Oertel, M. Schmitz, J.C. Becker, H.T. Eich and A. Schober declare that they have no competing interests.

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Oertel, M., Schmitz, M., Becker, J.C. et al. Successful integration of radiation oncology in preclinical medical education. Strahlenther Onkol 195, 1104–1109 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00066-019-01492-z

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