Medical students' views on oncology specialty: A cross-sectional study.

Abstract

9038 Background: Understanding medical students’ views on oncology, including in jurisdictions where societal misperceptions and social stigma about oncology exist, could help foster higher interest in oncology field among future physicians. This study is conducted to identify factors associated with interest in oncology and likelihood of pursuing a career in an oncology-related field among medical students across various medical schools in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: A cross-sectional study involving students from 7 medical schools across UAE was conducted. Students’ demographics (n=5), oncology education (n=3) and prior exposure to oncology (n=6) were examined. Likert-type questions assessed students’ interest in oncology and likelihood of pursuing a career in oncology, students’ perspective on factors potentially affecting interest in oncology career (n=12) and the following constructed themes; i) general views about oncology (n=5), ii) confidence in skills related to challenging encounters (n=4), iii) oncology education (n=5) and iv) oncology support (n=4) in medical school. Pilot testing and validation was conducted with acceptable reliability (Cronbach’s alpha ≥ 0.70). A multivariable logistic regression model was employed to identify independent variables associated with study outcomes. Results: Of all completed responses (n=145), about half were from students in UAEU vs other schools and in pre-medical vs preclinical/clinical phase (46% vs 54% and 51% vs 49%, respectively). Most (63%) had family member diagnosed with cancer and approximately a third (33%) felt pessimistic about oncology. Approximately half agreed that cancer diagnosis is often associated with social stigma (56%) and misperceptions (55%). Overall, 52% and 30% were interested in oncology and likely to pursue a career in oncology, respectively. The highest student-ranked factors affecting interest in oncology career included feeling pessimistic/optimistic about cancer, personal/family experience in cancer, opportunities to participate in oncology research, and availability of mentorship and good local residency program. Interest in oncology and likelihood of pursuing a career in oncology were associated with family member diagnosed with cancer (OR 2.55; 1.07 - 6.28 and 4.67; 1.53 - 16.9, respectively), feeling pessimistic about cancer (0.35; 0.13 - 0.89 and 0.08; 0.01 - 0.35, respectively) and premedical vs preclinical/clinical phase (OR 0.21; 0.06 - 0.67 and 0.06; 0.01 - 0.30, respectively). Interest in oncology was also positively correlated with a composite score derived from all questions in the constructed themes (p = 0.014 Wilcoxon Test). Conclusions: Students interest in oncology, and pursuing a career in oncology, is associated with personal/family experience in cancer, pessimistic views about oncology, and availability of mentorship/research/residency, but not social stigma or societal misperceptions.