title: Interdisciplinary Oncology Education: a National Survey of Trainees and Program Directors in the United States.
abstract: Oncologists must have a strong understanding of collaborating specialties in order to deliver optimal cancer care. The objective of this study was to quantify current interdisciplinary oncology education among oncology training programs across the USA, identify effective teaching modalities, and assess communication skills training. Web-based surveys were sent to oncology trainees and program directors (PDs) across the USA on April 1, 2013 and October 8, 2013, respectively. Question responses were Yes/No, five-point Likert scales (1 = not at all, 2 = somewhat, 3 = moderately, 4 = quite, 5 = extremely), or free response. Respondents included the following (trainees/PDs): 254/55 medical oncology, 160/42 surgical oncology, 102/24 radiation oncology, and 41/20 hospice and palliative medicine (HPM). Trainees consistently reported lower rates of interdisciplinary education for each specialty compared with PDs as follows: medical oncology 57 vs. 77% (p < 0.01), surgical oncology 30 vs. 44% (p < 0.01), radiation oncology 70 vs. 89% (p < 0.01), geriatric oncology 19 vs. 30% (p < 0.01), and HPM 55 vs. 74% (p < 0.01). The predominant teaching method used (lectures vs. rotations vs. tumor board attendance vs. workshop vs. other) varied according to which discipline was being taught. The usefulness of each teaching method was rated statistically different by trainees for learning about select disciplines. Furthermore, statistically significant differences were found between PDs and trainees for the perceived usefulness of several teaching modalities. This study highlights a deficiency of interdisciplinary education among oncology training programs in the USA. Efforts to increase interdisciplinary education opportunities during training may ultimately translate into improved collaboration and quality of cancer care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, 5758 South Maryland Avenue MC 9006, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
authors.forename: Adil S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Akthar
authors.affiliation: University of North Dakota School of Medicine, 1301 N Columbia Rd, Grand Forks, ND, 58203, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Hellekson
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, 801 N Rutledge St, Springfield, IL, 62702, USA.
authors.forename: Sabha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ganai
authors.affiliation: Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, 5758 South Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
authors.forename: Olwen M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Hahn
authors.affiliation: Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.
authors.forename: Ronald J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Maggiore
authors.affiliation: University of California at San Diego Moores Cancer Center, 3855 Health Sciences Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
authors.forename: Ezra E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, 5758 South Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
authors.forename: Mitchell C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Posner
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, 5758 South Maryland Avenue MC 9006, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
authors.forename: Steven J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Chmura
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, 5758 South Maryland Avenue MC 9006, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation and Cellular Oncology, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, 5758 South Maryland Avenue MC 9006, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA. dgolden@radonc.uchicago.edu.
authors.forename: Daniel W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Golden
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D058025:Interdisciplinary Studies; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000592:standards*; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000193:education*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D065126:Palliative Medicine / Q000193:education*; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014146:Training Support; D014481:United States
keywords: Communication; Graduate Medical Education; Hospice care; Medical oncology; Patient care team; Radiation oncology; Surgery