title: 2003 survey of Canadian radiation oncology residents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Radiation oncology's popularity as a career in Canada has surged in the past 5 years. Consequently, resident numbers in Canadian radiation oncology residencies are at all-time highs. This study aimed to survey Canadian radiation oncology residents about their opinions of their specialty and training experiences.
  
  
  METHODS
  Residents of Canadian radiation oncology residencies that enroll trainees through the Canadian Resident Matching Service were identified from a national database. Residents were mailed an anonymous survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight of 101 (7.9%) potential respondents were foreign funded. Fifty-two of 101 (51.5%) residents responded. A strong record of graduating its residents was the most important factor residents considered when choosing programs. Satisfaction with their program was expressed by 92.3% of respondents, and 94.3% expressed satisfaction with their specialty. Respondents planning to practice in Canada totaled 80.8%, and 76.9% plan to have academic careers. Respondents identified job availability and receiving adequate teaching from preceptors during residency as their most important concerns.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Though most respondents are satisfied with their programs and specialty, job availability and adequate teaching are concerns. In the future, limited time and resources and the continued popularity of radiation oncology as a career will magnify the challenge of training competent radiation oncologists in Canada.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. donyee@cancerboard.ab.ca
authors.forename: Don
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yee
authors.forename: Alysa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fairchild
authors.forename: Mira
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Keyes
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Butler
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dundas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D002321:Career Choice; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation; D018787:Radiation Oncology / Q000193:education*