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Increasing Undergraduate Exposure to Oncology: the Role of Oncology Interest Groups

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Abstract

This study describes a medical school oncology interest group (OIG) and assesses its influence on student perceptions of oncology, interest in pursuing oncology as a career, and comfort levels with oncology topics such as breaking bad news. From 2015 to 2017, the OIG annual event took place at a satellite campus of a larger Canadian undergraduate medical school. The event provided a question and answer period with a panel of physicians from multiple oncology specialties—discussions focused around lifestyle, training, clinical work, lifestyle, and career focus. Small physician-led groups taught breaking bad news using the SPIKES framework. The interest group also provided a mentoring and networking opportunity to interested students. Pre- and post-event surveys were distributed to students and physicians. For three consecutive years, the student-run, and physician-mentored OIG successfully recruited student and physician participants, providing a clinical skill teaching session as well as mentorship opportunities to students. Pre-event surveys found that only 20% of students believed their current curriculum was adequate as it relates to oncology education. In pre-session, 13% (6/45) of students indicated comfort with the skill of breaking bad news, compared with that in post-session with 81% (34/42) of students feeling comfortable. When asked “How likely are you to pursue a future elective opportunity in oncology?” 49% (20/41) of students indicated “likely” as their response in the pre-session. This response increased post-session to 70% (28/40). The event highlighted the potential for OIGs to increase student interest in pursuing oncology electives and student-perceived comfort with breaking bad news. OIGs are important in promoting interest in the field of oncology and in improving confidence in breaking bad news. This medical student-created, run and maintained oncology interest group supplemented standard curriculum by providing relevant educational and mentorship opportunities to students. This study highlights the feasibility of implementing a self-sustaining medical school oncology interest group and its potential to positively impact student learning and interest in oncology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick, Saint John, NB, Canada

    Marissa Sherwood, Danielle Rioux, Rosalinda Knight, Max LeBlanc & Taylor Betsch

  2. Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Meredith Giuliani

  3. Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Meredith Giuliani

  4. Department of Radiation Oncology, Dalhousie University, Saint John, NB, Canada

    Amanda Caissie

Authors
  1. Marissa Sherwood
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  2. Danielle Rioux
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  3. Rosalinda Knight
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  4. Max LeBlanc
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  5. Taylor Betsch
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  6. Meredith Giuliani
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  7. Amanda Caissie
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Correspondence to Marissa Sherwood.

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The study received research ethics board approval.

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Sherwood, M., Rioux, D., Knight, R. et al. Increasing Undergraduate Exposure to Oncology: the Role of Oncology Interest Groups. J Canc Educ 35, 997–1001 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-019-01554-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-019-01554-x

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