Choosing a career in oncology: results of a nationwide cross-sectional study

J C Faivre,H Roché,S Thureau,C Teyssier,T Leroy,J Biau,J E Bibault,A Bellesoeur,G Janoray,J Salleron,S Culine,V Martin,M Cervellera,J J Mazeron,B Pichon,N Lescut,M Wack,S Molina

doi:10.1186/s12909-018-1117-2

Abstract

BackgroundLittle information is currently available concerning young medical students desire to pursue a career in oncology, or their career expectations.MethodsThis project is a cross-sectional epidemiological study. A voluntary and anonymous questionnaire was distributed to all young oncologists studying in France between the 2nd of October 2013 and the 23rd of February 2014.ResultsThe overall response rate was 75.6%. A total of 505 young oncologists completed the questionnaire. The main determining factors in the decision to practice oncology were the cross-sectional nature of the field (70.8%), the depth and variety of human relations (56.3%) and the multi-disciplinary field of work (50.2%). Most residents would like to complete a rotation outside of their assigned region (59.2%) or abroad (70.2%) in order to acquire additional expertise (67.7%). In addition, most interns would like to undertake a fellowship involving care, teaching and research in order to hone their skills (85.7%) and forge a career in public hospitals (46.4%). Career prospects mainly involve salaried positions in public hospitals. Many young oncologists are concerned about their professional future, due to the shortage of openings (40.8%), the workload (52.8%) and the lack of work-life balance (33.4%).ConclusionsThis investigation provides a comprehensive profile of the reasons young oncologists chose to pursue a career in oncology, and their career prospects.

Highlights

Little information is currently available concerning young medical students desire to pursue a career in oncology, or their career expectations
Participants We included all young oncologists in France enrolled in programs leading to the Diplôme d’Etudes Spécialisées [Diploma of Specialized Studies] (DES) in Oncology and the Diplôme d’Etudes Spécialisées Complémentaires [Diploma of Complementary Specialized Studies] (DESC) in Cancerology with a valid email address as of the 1st of May described using frequency and percentage
A total of 505 young oncologists responded to the online survey, which meant an overall response rate of 75.6% (505/668)

Summary

Introduction

Little information is currently available concerning young medical students desire to pursue a career in oncology, or their career expectations. The study of medicine in France is arranged over three periods presented in Fig. 1: a first (pre-clinical) period of 3 years, a second (clinical) period of 3 years, and a third period (residency) of 4 to 5 years, specific to each specialty. At the end of the second period, students can enrol in national ranking exams, called Epreuves Classantes Nationales (ECN), and according to their ranking position choose a specialty and a medical school (health region assigned for the entire residency) in which to Little information is currently available concerning young medical students desire to pursue a career in oncology. In 2011, Loriot et al [1] published a study that included only a small population of young medical oncologists. – Assess the appeal to young oncologists of a residency outside their assigned region in France and/or abroad.

Methods

Results

Conclusion