Clinical neuro-oncology formal education opportunities for medical students in the United States and Canada

Abstract

Objective: To develop an understanding of the availability of the formal clinical neuro-oncology educational opportunities for medical students.

Methods: The curriculum websites of all medical schools accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education were reviewed for the presence of clinical neuro-oncology electives as well as other relevant data.

Results: Ten (6.8%) of medical schools accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education offer formal neuro-oncology electives. Half are clustered in the Midwest. Forty percent are at institutions with neuro-oncology fellowships. All are at institutions with neurosurgery and neurology residency programs.

Conclusions: Formal clinical neuro-oncology elective opportunities for medical students in the United States and Canada are limited. Additional such opportunities may be of value in the education of medical students.

Keywords: Clinical clerkship; Medical education; Medical schools; Neuro-oncology; Neurology; Neurosurgery.