A Systematic Literature Review of Interprofessional Education Initiatives in the Field of Radiation Oncology

Abstract

It has been demonstrated that interprofessional education (IPE) initiatives lead to improved patient outcomes in a variety of healthcare fields and clinical settings, however the extent and effectiveness of IPE in the field of radiation oncology is unclear. This systematic literature review seeks to identify reports of radiation oncology IPE published in the literature and summarize the outcomes of those initiatives where possible. The literature was queried through PubMed using search terms focusing on interprofessional education targeted toward radiation oncologists, radiation therapists, nurses, medical physicists, and medical dosimetrists, in the undergraduate medical education, graduate medical education, and continuing medical education settings. Interprofessional education was defined as any educational initiative designed to improve understanding or teamwork efficiency between the learners of interest. Due to the lack of published material pertaining to IPE in radiation oncology, non-interventional, descriptive studies were included. Of the 1,228 articles screened, 4 were included in the qualitative analysis of this systematic review. Radiation therapists were included in IPE more frequently than radiation oncologists, nurses, physicists, and dosimetrists. IPE initiatives identified in the literature ranged from purely descriptive surveys and written source review to IPE workshops and longitudinal IPE curriculum with quantified outcomes. Descriptive studies viewed IPE positively, and all studies collecting quantitative data demonstrated positive outcomes. Undergraduate medical and professional students were included most frequently, followed by practicing professionals. This systematic review demonstrates that despite the general association of IPE with improved outcomes, IPE initiatives within the field of radiation oncology are lacking. There are very few IPE interventions linked to quantifiable outcomes published in the literature. There is a great opportunity to expand IPE within radiation oncology, particularly focusing on interaction between radiation oncologists, radiation therapists, nurses, medical physicists, and medical dosimetrists. There is also significant opportunity to bring IPE beyond the realm of undergraduate professional students, including both residents and practicing professionals.