Does a mentorship award in radiation oncology inspire medical students to pursue the specialty? A survey analysis of medical students, resident mentors, and research project supervisors

Abstract

Background Radiation oncology (RO) residencies vary in popularity year-to-year. Many North American regions are experiencing increasing demand for radiation oncologists with a shortage in physician supply while numbers of radiotherapy cases are rising. This study aims to determine the impact of a national Medical Student Research and Mentorship Award on student exposure and interest in RO research and RO as a career, as well as its impact on mentorship and teaching in the perspective of RO residents and research supervisors. Methods Three separate surveys were created: one for medical student mentees, one for resident mentors, and one for staff physician research supervisors. These surveys were developed using best practice strategies for medical education surveys and circulated for peer-review amongst experts in oncology medical education. The surveys were sent to the 7 students, 7 residents, and 7 supervisors who participated in the award program. After anonymization, quantitative answers were analyzed using descriptive statistics and narrative responses were evaluated using a grounded theory approach. Results There was a 100% survey response rate. For the medical student mentees, the award maintained or increased interest in pursuing a career in RO for all respondents. It increased interest in 17% and maintained interest for 83%. According to these students, the most important aspects of the research award was conference registration costs and mentorship with an RO resident. Through the mentorship program, 50% of students felt they attained valuable information about a career in RO, 33% gained insight into RO residency, and 33% received helpful residency matching advice. From the perspective of the resident mentors, all respondents felt the program either maintained or increased motivation to mentor students in RO. Research project supervisors unanimously enjoyed their role in this program and would participate in this program again. Discussion This study characterized how a national research and mentorship award in RO impacted medical students, resident mentors, and research supervisors. Medical students greatly appreciated the opportunity to be mentored by RO residents and to present at a national conference with registration costs covered, motivating all to continue pursuing research and a potential career in RO. The program also enhanced mentorship skills in residents and staff physicians, which will encourage further mentorship in RO for the next generation of students. Further research can be done with future iterations of the award and with potential expansion of this type of award at other research conferences. Radiation oncology (RO) residencies vary in popularity year-to-year. Many North American regions are experiencing increasing demand for radiation oncologists with a shortage in physician supply while numbers of radiotherapy cases are rising. This study aims to determine the impact of a national Medical Student Research and Mentorship Award on student exposure and interest in RO research and RO as a career, as well as its impact on mentorship and teaching in the perspective of RO residents and research supervisors. Three separate surveys were created: one for medical student mentees, one for resident mentors, and one for staff physician research supervisors. These surveys were developed using best practice strategies for medical education surveys and circulated for peer-review amongst experts in oncology medical education. The surveys were sent to the 7 students, 7 residents, and 7 supervisors who participated in the award program. After anonymization, quantitative answers were analyzed using descriptive statistics and narrative responses were evaluated using a grounded theory approach. There was a 100% survey response rate. For the medical student mentees, the award maintained or increased interest in pursuing a career in RO for all respondents. It increased interest in 17% and maintained interest for 83%. According to these students, the most important aspects of the research award was conference registration costs and mentorship with an RO resident. Through the mentorship program, 50% of students felt they attained valuable information about a career in RO, 33% gained insight into RO residency, and 33% received helpful residency matching advice. From the perspective of the resident mentors, all respondents felt the program either maintained or increased motivation to mentor students in RO. Research project supervisors unanimously enjoyed their role in this program and would participate in this program again. This study characterized how a national research and mentorship award in RO impacted medical students, resident mentors, and research supervisors. Medical students greatly appreciated the opportunity to be mentored by RO residents and to present at a national conference with registration costs covered, motivating all to continue pursuing research and a potential career in RO. The program also enhanced mentorship skills in residents and staff physicians, which will encourage further mentorship in RO for the next generation of students. Further research can be done with future iterations of the award and with potential expansion of this type of award at other research conferences.