Training in Clinical Oncology and the Transition from Trainee to Consultant: Results of the Royal College of Radiologists' 2015 Post-Certificate of Completion of Training Survey

Abstract

AimsTo seek feedback from clinical oncologists as to their experiences of specialty training and, where applicable, the transition to working as a consultant in the National Health Service. Materials and methodsAll clinical oncologists gaining a Certificate of Completion of Training between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2014 were identified through records held by the Royal College of Radiologists and approached in May 2015 to take part in an online survey. ResultsThe survey was completed by 38 of 80 clinical oncologists invited to take part (48% response rate). Most respondents (>87%) agreed that specialty training equipped them well with clinical skills in radiotherapy planning, systemic therapy and tumour site diagnosis and treatment. This fell to 58% with advanced radiotherapy techniques. Of the non-clinical skills, respondents felt training had equipped them less to deal with leadership and management (53%) and research (48%) than clinical governance (61%). Despite wanting to do so, 42% of respondents did not undertake any out-of-programme (OOP) activity to gain new skills. Most of those respondents who did undertake OOP activity agreed that it helped to prepare them for their first consultant post. There is broad support for the FRCR Examination. The First FRCR Examination modules in physics, pharmacology, tumour biology and radiobiology were seen to be very relevant to clinical practice by 50% or more of respondents. The Final FRCR Examination was seen as essential in a technical specialty like clinical oncology by 92% of respondents. Working as a new consultant, the survey revealed a heavy workload for most respondents, with 69% always or almost always working beyond contracted hours. Other issues of concern identified were discrepancies in advertised consultant job plans and ineffectiveness of the job plan review process. The trainee–consultant transition is often a difficult time, yet only 19% of respondents were allocated a formal mentor. Most respondents had to rely on informal arrangements in seeking support and advice from medical colleagues. ConclusionsIn general, respondents were satisfied with their specialty training and the transition from training to working as a new consultant. Areas for possible improvement have been identified for employers as well as those involved in organising specialty training.