Experience From an Early Exposure Education Program in Radiation Oncology for High School and Undergraduate Students

Abstract

Exposure to radiation oncology (RO), which is a small and highly subspecialized field of oncology, during undergraduate or medical education is often limited. Coupled with reduced elective exposures during the COVID-19 pandemic, unsubstantiated concerns regarding the RO job market have led to a noticeable decline in residency applications and medical students who express an interest in the field. Here, we describe a summer education program piloted in our RO department at a comprehensive cancer center to provide premedical school students (ranging from high school to postbaccalaureate) early exposure to the specialty through clinical shadowing, research opportunities, journal club, and formal didactic lectures. Pre- and postprogram surveys were administered to these students to evaluate the change in knowledge in RO. A total of 8 students participated in the program. We found an increase in understanding of the specialty, high levels of interest in considering RO as a career, and positive feedback regarding the program overall. This study supports the role of early exposure and education in stimulating interest in future medical students to pursue RO as a career. Future efforts are needed to further develop and evaluate these education programs as well as disseminate the program more broadly.