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Interdisciplinary Oncology Education: a National Survey of Trainees and Program Directors in the United States

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Abstract

Oncologists must have a strong understanding of collaborating specialties in order to deliver optimal cancer care. The objective of this study was to quantify current interdisciplinary oncology education among oncology training programs across the USA, identify effective teaching modalities, and assess communication skills training. Web-based surveys were sent to oncology trainees and program directors (PDs) across the USA on April 1, 2013 and October 8, 2013, respectively. Question responses were Yes/No, five-point Likert scales (1 = not at all, 2 = somewhat, 3 = moderately, 4 = quite, 5 = extremely), or free response. Respondents included the following (trainees/PDs): 254/55 medical oncology, 160/42 surgical oncology, 102/24 radiation oncology, and 41/20 hospice and palliative medicine (HPM). Trainees consistently reported lower rates of interdisciplinary education for each specialty compared with PDs as follows: medical oncology 57 vs. 77% (p < 0.01), surgical oncology 30 vs. 44% (p < 0.01), radiation oncology 70 vs. 89% (p < 0.01), geriatric oncology 19 vs. 30% (p < 0.01), and HPM 55 vs. 74% (p < 0.01). The predominant teaching method used (lectures vs. rotations vs. tumor board attendance vs. workshop vs. other) varied according to which discipline was being taught. The usefulness of each teaching method was rated statistically different by trainees for learning about select disciplines. Furthermore, statistically significant differences were found between PDs and trainees for the perceived usefulness of several teaching modalities. This study highlights a deficiency of interdisciplinary education among oncology training programs in the USA. Efforts to increase interdisciplinary education opportunities during training may ultimately translate into improved collaboration and quality of cancer care.

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Acknowledgements

This project was funded in part by the University of Chicago Center for Research Informatics grant (NIH UL1 RR024999). Dr. Golden had full access to all of the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, 5758 South Maryland Avenue MC 9006, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA

    Adil S. Akthar, Steven J. Chmura, Andrew R. Howard & Daniel W. Golden

  2. University of North Dakota School of Medicine, 1301 N Columbia Rd, Grand Forks, ND, 58203, USA

    Christopher D. Hellekson

  3. Department of Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, 801 N Rutledge St, Springfield, IL, 62702, USA

    Sabha Ganai

  4. Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, 5758 South Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA

    Olwen M. Hahn

  5. Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA

    Ronald J. Maggiore

  6. University of California at San Diego Moores Cancer Center, 3855 Health Sciences Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA

    Ezra E. Cohen

  7. Department of Surgery, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, 5758 South Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA

    Mitchell C. Posner

Authors
  1. Adil S. Akthar
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  2. Christopher D. Hellekson
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  3. Sabha Ganai
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  4. Olwen M. Hahn
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  5. Ronald J. Maggiore
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  6. Ezra E. Cohen
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  7. Mitchell C. Posner
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  8. Steven J. Chmura
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  9. Andrew R. Howard
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  10. Daniel W. Golden
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Daniel W. Golden.

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Research Support

This project was funded in part by the University of Chicago Center for Research Informatics grant (NIH UL1 RR024999).

Prior Presentations/Publications

Preliminary trainee data was presented at the 2013 International Cancer Education Conference (ICEC), Seattle, WA. Updated trainee data was presented at the 2014 University of Chicago Medical Education Day, Chicago, IL. Trainee versus program director data was accepted as a published abstract at the 2014 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting, Chicago, IL.

Ethical Standards

All procedures were in accordance with the ethical standards laid down in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments. Survey participation was voluntary for all participants of this study.

Conflict of Interest

Dr. Golden reports having a financial interest in RadOncQuestions, LLC. No other authors report potential conflicts of interest.

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Akthar, A.S., Hellekson, C.D., Ganai, S. et al. Interdisciplinary Oncology Education: a National Survey of Trainees and Program Directors in the United States. J Canc Educ 33, 622–626 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-016-1139-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-016-1139-6

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