Impact of a Virtual Introduction to Radiation Oncology Presentation on Stimulating Interest in the Specialty Among Diverse Medical Students at Multiple Institutions.

Abstract

Many US medical students lack access to radiation oncology (RO). Our hypothesis is that a virtual, cross-institutional presentation introducing students to a career in RO will be valuable in exposing students to RO who are less likely to access it otherwise, and will increase students' interest in a career in RO regardless of their gender, race, and ethnicity. A 1-hour, live, virtual, extracurricular presentation was offered to Deans of US medical schools lacking an affiliated RO department and/or having a high enrollment of students underrepresented in medicine (UIM), and also student groups comprised primarily of UIM students. Presentations were given individually to each school by a single radiation oncologist. An electronic survey captured data from participating students. 197 students from 13 institutions attended a presentation; 114 students responded to the survey (response rate 58%). Ninety-two students (81%) were aware of the specialty of RO before the presentation; however, UIM students were significantly less likely to be aware of RO than all others (69% vs. 87%, p=0.05). Only 19 students (17%) reported previously hearing a presentation from a radiation oncologist (29% among 2nd-4th years vs. 9% among 1st years, p=0.01). Ninety-eight students (86%) expressed more interest in pursuing a career in RO after the presentation. There was no significant difference in interest in RO for any demographic subgroups. Virtual RO exposure was feasible to deliver to students less likely to be exposed otherwise, and successfully stimulated interest in the specialty regardless of students' gender, race, or ethnicity.