Impact of a Virtual Introduction to Radiation Oncology Lecture on Stimulating Specialty Interest among Diverse Medical Students at Multiple Institutions

Abstract

<h3>Purpose/Objective(s)</h3> Many US medical students lack access to basic education in radiation oncology (RO). This is particularly common at schools with higher enrollment of students underrepresented in medicine (UIM), which may contribute to inadequate diversity in the RO workforce. We hypothesize that a virtual, cross-institutional lecture introducing students to a career in RO will be valuable to students less likely to have access to it otherwise, and increase their interest in RO as a career. <h3>Materials/Methods</h3> A 1-hour, live, virtual, extracurricular lecture was offered to all (A) 15 US medical schools with at least 15% enrollment of UIM students per AAMC data, (B) 23 other medical schools lacking an affiliated RO residency program or department, and (C) a convenience sample of 22 medical student groups comprised of primarily UIM members at any US medical schools with contact information available online. Each lecture was promoted broadly, and the overall number of students invited is unknown. The lectures were given individually to each school by a singular academic radiation oncologist. A post-lecture electronic survey of 6 multiple choice and Likert-type questions was used to capture data from participating students. Descriptive statistics are reported. The Fisher's Exact test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare subgroups of students based on medical school year, gender, race, ethnicity, and presence of affiliated RO department. <h3>Results</h3> 197 students from 13 institutions attended a lecture, and 114 responded to the survey (response rate 58%). Students' demographics included: 68% 1^st years, 59% female, 42% white, 32% Asian, 13% Black, 15% Hispanic, and 61% from a school without a RO department. When coordinated by an UIM student group, 60% of respondents were UIM, as compared to 16% UIM respondents when promoted to all medical students (<i>p</i> < 0.01). The mean overall UIM student enrollment at the participating schools was 14% (SD 9%). 92 students (81%) were aware of the specialty of RO before the lecture; however, UIM students were significantly less likely to be aware of RO than all others (69% vs. 87%, <i>p</i> = 0.05). Only 19 students (17%) reported previously hearing a RO lecture. 98 students (86%) expressed more interest in pursuing a career in RO after the lecture. There was no significant difference in interest in RO for any demographic subgroups of participants. 18 students (16%) contacted the speaker afterwards for guidance on research or mentorship opportunities locally or nationally. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Virtual RO exposure was feasible to deliver to students less likely to be exposed, and successfully stimulated interest in the specialty among most students regardless of their gender, race, or ethnicity. Sustainable pathways are needed to link these students to RO departments with mentors and sponsors who can help facilitate a more diverse RO workforce.