Evaluation of a National Radiation Oncology Research and Mentorship Program

Ruijia Jin; Che Hsuan David Wu; Meredith Giuliani; Corinne Doll; Jolie Ringash; Danny Lavigne; Paris Ann Ingledew

doi:10.1016/j.ijrobp.2024.03.040

Evaluation of a National Radiation Oncology Research and Mentorship Program

Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2024 Apr 4:S0360-3016(24)00465-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2024.03.040. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Ruijia Jin¹, Che Hsuan David Wu², Meredith Giuliani³, Corinne Doll⁴, Jolie Ringash⁵, Danny Lavigne⁶, Paris Ann Ingledew⁷

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
² Department of Radiation Oncology, BC Cancer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
³ Department of Radiation Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, British Columbia, Canada; University of Toronto, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Toronto, British Columbia, Canada.
⁴ Department of Oncology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Department of Radiation Oncology, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
⁵ Department of Radiation Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital and University Health Network, Toronto, British Columbia, Canada; Division of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Toronto, British Columbia, Canada.
⁶ Department of Radiation Oncology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
⁷ Department of Radiation Oncology, BC Cancer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Surgery, Division of Radiation Oncology, University of British Columbia, Faculty of Medicine, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Electronic address: pingledew@bccancer.bc.ca.

PMID: 38582234
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2024.03.040

Abstract

Purpose: The Canadian Association of Radiation Oncology Annual Scientific Meeting Medical Student Research and Mentorship Award was established in 2020 to support medical students pursuing radiation oncology (RO) research and RO as a career. This study is an evaluation of the effect of this national research and mentorship award on medical students, resident mentors, and research supervisors over 3 iterations.

Methods and materials: Three separate surveys were created for medical student mentees, RO resident mentors, and attending research supervisors. These surveys were developed using best practice strategies for medical education surveys and circulated for peer review among experts in oncology medical education. The surveys were sent to the 52 individuals (18 students, 18 residents, 16 supervisors) who participated in 3 cycles of Canadian Association of Radiation Oncology ASM MSRMA (2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23). After anonymization, quantitative answers were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and narrative responses were evaluated using a grounded theory approach.

Results: There was a 90% survey response rate. For medical student mentees, the award maintained (71%) or increased (24%) interest in pursuing an RO career. Students reported receiving helpful tips for residency applications and insight into RO residency, research, and career planning advice. Only the first student cohort currently has matching results for residency, with approximately 50% matching to RO. All resident mentor respondents felt the program either maintained or increased motivation to mentor students in RO. Research project supervisors unanimously enjoyed their role in this program and would recommend and participate in this program again.

Conclusions: A national research and mentorship award for medical students has shown a positive effect on participants. Medical students felt this award program motivated them to continue pursuing oncology research and a potential career in RO. The program also enhanced mentorship skills in residents and research supervisors, which encourages further RO mentorship, teaching, and exposure for future generations of students.