Implementation of An Interactive Radiation Oncology Clinical Rotation for Medical Students

Abstract

Background Our radiotherapy department is situated onsite at a university-affiliated hospital where medical students undertake clinical rotations. However, no formal programme for attachments to the radiation oncology service was previously in place. Student experience was limited to occasional classroom-based lectures and sporadic contact with cancer patients while rotating through other clinical services. Under-exposure to radiation oncology (RO) (and oncology generally) during medical school is common. A 2016 survey of medical students at two US universities found that only 4% of third year and 7% of fourth year students completed an RO rotation (Osvarak et al 2016). And 47% of Australian and New Zealand medical students recently reported that RO was not incorporated into their curriculum at all (Bravery et al 2020). We identified improving medical student involvement as a priority for our department. Methods We collaborated with tutors at the University to arrange for medical students to have allocated RO rotations during their clinical attachments at the hospital. Agreed learning objectives fitted into three categories: -fundamental clinical skills in history taking and physical examination -care of cancer patients -an introduction to RO and its role in the care of cancer patients. A multidisciplinary effort with involvement of consultant and trainee radiation oncologists, radiation therapists, nurses, and university representatives allowed us to develop a programme to deliver these learning objectives. Results The programme began in January 2022. One radiation oncologist takes overall responsibility for day-to-day operations and acts as the primary point of contact for the students and other staff members in case of any issues. Students receive tutorials on oncological emergencies and are involved in academic sessions in the department. They are supervised as they spend time contouring organs at risk and clinical targets and also have dedicated sessions with radiation therapists where they observe the delivery of external beam radiotherapy. Clinical experience is gained via attendance at outpatient clinics and on the inpatient oncology ward. Feedback on history taking and clinical examination is provided via tutorials with radiation oncologists and trainees. Students provided feedback which indicated that they had enjoyed their experience of the specialty and found the rotation beneficial. Discussion The rotation has been well-received by students and the university tutors. The primary goal of incorporating RO rotations into the medical school curriculum was successful and these attachments will continue in future. Involvement of relevant stakeholders within the department and the university contributed to the successful implantation. Our radiotherapy department is situated onsite at a university-affiliated hospital where medical students undertake clinical rotations. However, no formal programme for attachments to the radiation oncology service was previously in place. Student experience was limited to occasional classroom-based lectures and sporadic contact with cancer patients while rotating through other clinical services. Under-exposure to radiation oncology (RO) (and oncology generally) during medical school is common. A 2016 survey of medical students at two US universities found that only 4% of third year and 7% of fourth year students completed an RO rotation (Osvarak et al 2016). And 47% of Australian and New Zealand medical students recently reported that RO was not incorporated into their curriculum at all (Bravery et al 2020). We identified improving medical student involvement as a priority for our department. We collaborated with tutors at the University to arrange for medical students to have allocated RO rotations during their clinical attachments at the hospital. Agreed learning objectives fitted into three categories: -fundamental clinical skills in history taking and physical examination -care of cancer patients -an introduction to RO and its role in the care of cancer patients. A multidisciplinary effort with involvement of consultant and trainee radiation oncologists, radiation therapists, nurses, and university representatives allowed us to develop a programme to deliver these learning objectives. The programme began in January 2022. One radiation oncologist takes overall responsibility for day-to-day operations and acts as the primary point of contact for the students and other staff members in case of any issues. Students receive tutorials on oncological emergencies and are involved in academic sessions in the department. They are supervised as they spend time contouring organs at risk and clinical targets and also have dedicated sessions with radiation therapists where they observe the delivery of external beam radiotherapy. Clinical experience is gained via attendance at outpatient clinics and on the inpatient oncology ward. Feedback on history taking and clinical examination is provided via tutorials with radiation oncologists and trainees. Students provided feedback which indicated that they had enjoyed their experience of the specialty and found the rotation beneficial. The rotation has been well-received by students and the university tutors. The primary goal of incorporating RO rotations into the medical school curriculum was successful and these attachments will continue in future. Involvement of relevant stakeholders within the department and the university contributed to the successful implantation.