Title: Student Oncology Society: A Radiation Oncologist–Led Approach to Exploring Careers in Oncology for Medical Students
Abstract: Formal exposure to careers in oncology is limited during the traditional pre-clinical and clinical aspects of undergraduate medical education. Fostering students' interest and participation in learning about various specialties through student interest groups has been well documented. At our institution, the Student Oncology Society (SOS), led by medical students interested in oncology and currently sponsored by a faculty radiation oncologist, has hosted events to help foster interest in oncology since 2006. The purpose of this descriptive analysis is to document the results of this initiative. The SOS is a student-run multidisciplinary interest group to promote and develop interest in oncology specialties, provide networking opportunities with physicians for research or shadowing experiences, discuss the different career pathways in oncology, and encourage early student involvement in cancer care. The programming features physicians from fields such surgical oncology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, and gynecology. We describe the programming that we have held through this group since its inception in 2006. The SOS offers free lunchtime events for medical students. The first event of the year is typically a panel of physicians, including a medical oncologist, a surgical oncologist, and a radiation oncologist from our institution. These physicians share many of the same patients and are able to highlight the importance of an oncology team and their different roles in the progression of cancer care. The SOS also hosts a student/resident panel of fourth year medical students and residents who are interested in careers in oncology. In the spring, the SOS hosts a palliative care panel consisting of a hospice/palliative care physician, a geriatric nurse practitioner, a hospital chaplain, and a bereavement care social worker. Finally, the SOS hosts a cancer-screening day, which pairs students with physicians to provide free cancer screening and education for the community. SOS collaborates with other groups, such as the Radiology Interest Group, to host interactive case discussions that highlight diagnosis and management using specific patient cases. Growing student curiosity in radiation oncology via the SOS has sponsored the incorporation of radiation oncology seminars targeted at medical students at our institution. By giving students an opportunity to learn about the different fields of oncology, the SOS is able to cultivate an early interest and understanding about the multidisciplinary approach to cancer care. For students who are unsure about their career paths, a multidisciplinary interest group allows for exploration of different career pathways, including radiation oncology.
Publication Year: 2014
Publication Date: 2014-09-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 1
AI Researcher Chatbot
Get quick answers to your questions about the article from our AI researcher chatbot