Preferences and Outcomes for Chemotherapy Teaching in a Postgraduate Obstetrics and Gynecology Training Program

Abstract

To determine whether chemotherapy teaching is a desired component of postgraduate training programs in obstetrics and gynecology and assess its effect on practicing clinicians. After obtaining institutional review board approval, 99 individuals who completed postgraduate training at a single academic medical center between 2005 and 2013 were invited to complete an online survey. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize responses. Of the 99 individuals, 68 (68%) completed the survey. Respondents included physicians currently practicing in both academic medicine (n = 36, 52.9%) and private practice (n = 24, 35.2%). Most respondents (n = 60, 88.2%) indicated that chemotherapy teaching was a desired feature of their training and expressed a preference for both formal didactics and direct clinical involvement (n = 55, 80.2%). Benefits identified by respondents included improved insight into the management of symptoms commonly associated with chemotherapy (n = 55, 82.1%) and an enhanced ability to counsel patients referred for oncology care (n = 48, 70.5%). All respondents who pursued training in gynecologic oncology following residency (n = 6) indicated that chemotherapy teaching favorably affected their fellowship experience. Of the 6 gynecologic oncologists, 3 (50%) who responded also indicated that chemotherapy teaching during residency improved their performance in fellowship interviews. Chemotherapy teaching was a desired feature of postgraduate training in general obstetrics and gynecology at the institution studied. Consideration should be given to creating curricula that incorporate the principles and practice of chemotherapy and address the needs of obstetrics and gynecology trainees who intend to pursue both general and subspecialty practice.