title: A national radiation oncology medical student clerkship survey: didactic curricular components increase confidence in clinical competency.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Students applying to radiation oncology residency programs complete 1 or more radiation oncology clerkships. This study assesses student experiences and perspectives during radiation oncology clerkships. The impact of didactic components and number of clerkship experiences in relation to confidence in clinical competency and preparation to function as a first-year radiation oncology resident are evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  An anonymous, Internet-based survey was sent via direct e-mail to all applicants to a single radiation oncology residency program during the 2012-2013 academic year. The survey was composed of 3 main sections including questions regarding baseline demographic information and prior radiation oncology experience, rotation experiences, and ideal clerkship curriculum content.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The survey response rate was 37% (70 of 188). Respondents reported 191 unique clerkship experiences. Of the respondents, 27% (19 of 70) completed at least 1 clerkship with a didactic component geared towards their level of training. Completing a clerkship with a didactic component was significantly associated with a respondent's confidence to function as a first-year radiation oncology resident (Wilcoxon rank-sum P=.03). However, the total number of clerkships completed did not correlate with confidence to pursue radiation oncology as a specialty (Spearman ρ P=.48) or confidence to function as a first year resident (Spearman ρ P=.43).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on responses to this survey, rotating students perceive that the majority of radiation oncology clerkships do not have formal didactic curricula. Survey respondents who completed a clerkship with a didactic curriculum reported feeling more prepared to function as a radiation oncology resident. However, completing an increasing number of clerkships does not appear to improve confidence in the decision to pursue radiation oncology as a career or to function as a radiation oncology resident. These results support further development of structured didactic curricula for the radiation oncology clerkship.
authors: Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
authors: Vikrant S
authors: VS
authors: Jagadeesan
authors: Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
authors: David R
authors: DR
authors: Raleigh
authors: Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
authors: Matthew
authors: M
authors: Koshy
authors: Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
authors: Andrew R
authors: AR
authors: Howard
authors: Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
authors: Steven J
authors: SJ
authors: Chmura
authors: Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois. Electronic address: dgolden@radonc.uchicago.edu.
authors: Daniel W
authors: DW
authors: Golden
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002321:Career Choice; D002982:Clinical Clerkship / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015397:Program Evaluation; D018787:Radiation Oncology / Q000193:education* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012649:Self Concept; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult