Previous Pan-Canadian surveys of Radiation Oncology (RO) residents performed in 2003 and 2009 identified job availability as a major concern, and characterized a perceived decline in employment opportunities for radiation oncologists in Canada. The Canadian post-MD education registry indicates that Canadian RO trainee levels rose from 130 in 2003 to reach a peak of 209 in 2009 before declining to approximately 130 in 2017. Recognizing that RO has entered another period of transition, we investigated resident perspectives among a more contemporary cohort of RO trainees in Canada. Surveys were distributed electronically to residents at each RO training program in Canada. Surveys consisted of 116 multiple choice and open-ended questions assessing center demographics, motivations for choosing RO, clinical experiences, didactic learning, research experiences, professional relationships, resident satisfaction, and career aspirations. Questions were constructed based on the 2003 and 2009 Canadian survey, and on previous Association of Residents in Radiation Oncology reports from the United States. Anonymized, aggregate responses from completed surveys were abstracted, and descriptive statistics were calculated. Out of 128 eligible residents, 84 completed the survey (65.6% response rate) with representative sampling from each training year (17.1% - 22.4% each year). Demographics reveal 52.6% were male, 68.4% were Canadian medical school graduates (CMGs), 22.4% held either a master’s degree or doctorate, and 2.6% held additional medical certification. Nearly all respondents (97.9%) were satisfied with their specialty and training program. The most frequently perceived weakness in training was feeling unprepared to be competitive in the job market (42.6%), and 78.7% plan to pursue a post-residency fellowship. Most CMGs (86.1%) plan to practice in Canada, but only 12.8% of respondents believe there is strong demand for RO in Canada. Few respondents believe they can obtain staff positions treating their preferred tumor sites (38.3%), and at their preferred geographic location (27.7%). The job market was perceived by 40.4% to be less competitive than it was 5 years ago, and 59.6% predict it will be less competitive 5 years from now. Canadian RO residents feel adequately trained as competent physicians, and a majority of trainees pursue post-residency fellowships, similar to prior surveys. Although current perceptions of the Canadian job market remain guarded, RO residents are highly satisfied with their choice of specialty and training program, and are more optimistic about their future job prospects. Our survey update provides continued insights into RO residency training in Canada, and identifies opportunities for improvement that could be addressed by the incoming competency-based medical education model for RO.
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Oct 1, 2024
Madeline E Shivgulam + 5
Open Access