A medical student-staffed outpatient oncology clinic: a 10-year Brazilian experience.
BACKGROUND
This is an update of a 10-years student-staffed oncology clinic.


METHODS
Students are divided into 4 teams; each sees 1 to 2 outpatients weekly.


RESULTS
By April 2006, 95 medical students participated, 89% for 2 or more years; 70% reported activity contributed to ability to read medical papers, and 59% improved their scientific writing. Of 39 students currently involved, 33 (84%) improved clinical skills in taking history, 27 (69%) in physical examination, and 34 (87%) in physician-patient relation. A total of 21 (56%) reported increased knowledge in general internal medicine. Although only 11% of former students pursued a specialty in Medical Oncology, 77% rated this clinic as the best extracurricular activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Attendance of outpatient clinic in medical oncology can contribute significantly to the general medical education.
Abrão
Milene N
MN
Division of Oncology and Hematology, ABC Foundation School of Medicine, Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil.
Bensi
Carolina G
CG
Gonçalves
Marina S
MS
Narahara
Juliana L
JL
Otsuka
Fabiana C
FC
Ranzatti
Rodrigo P
RP
Trufelli
Damila C
DC
Kaliks
Rafael A
RA
Pinczowski
Hélio
H
Lajolo
Paula P
PP
Del Giglio
Auro
A
D001938:Brazil; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D006801:Humans; D016522:Oncology Service, Hospital; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D010045:Outpatients; D013337:Students, Medical; D013997:Time Factors; D000078329:Workforce