Main Session

Sep 27

PQA 02 - Pediatric Cancer, Sarcoma and Cutaneous Tumors, Medical Education & Professional Development, and Health Services Research

2398 - Radiation Oncology Awareness and Education within U.S. Internal Medicine Residency: Effects from an Intervention Study

04:00pm - 05:00pm ET

Poster Hall - Exhibit Hall A

Screen: 8

POSTER

Presenter(s)

Mehdi Kazemi, MD, MD - Loma Linda University Health Education Consortium, Loma Linda, CA

P. Zaki^1,2, L. M. Halasz³, M. Kazemi¹, and M. H. Blau³; ¹Department of Radiation Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, ²Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, ³Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington/Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA

Purpose/Objective(s):

A national survey of 30 US internal medicine (IM) programs showed 93% of IM residents reported no radiation oncology education in their residency. Only 39% reported confidence in knowing when to consult radiation oncology in an oncologic emergency, and 26% reported confidence in knowing when to consult radiation oncology in the setting of a newly diagnosed cancer. Given the above findings, we hypothesized a lecture could be designed to improve IM resident confidence and awareness of when to consult radiation oncology.

Materials/Methods:

A single lecture was designed to improve IM resident confidence and understanding of when to consult radiation oncology at a single institution. The lecture was delivered in a virtual setting and utilized multi-modal learning methods including informative slides, video demonstrations, and cases. A survey consisting of 12 questions assessing demographics, perceptions, and knowledge was administered immediately before and after the lecture. Five-point Likert scales were used to assess perceptions. Chi-square testing was used to analyze the data.

Results:

There were 41 survey respondents prior to the lecture and 36 survey respondents after the lecture. Of all respondents, 56% did not have a prior radiation oncology lecture; 34% had a lecture in medical school and 10% had one during residency. Of all respondents, 68% reported having some interaction with radiation oncology in residency, while 29% had none and 3% had a significant amount.

The percentage of residents that answered the knowledge-based question correctly prior to the lecture was 46%. Although not statistically significant, residents who had a radiation oncology lecture in the past were more likely to answer the knowledge-based question correctly (50% vs 43%, p=0.68). Those with some/significant amount of radiation oncology interaction during residency were more likely to answer the knowledge-based question correctly (52% vs 33%, p=0.28), although not statistically significant. After the current lecture, the percentage of residents that answered the knowledge-based question correctly increased to 92%.

The percentage of IM residents that felt confident on when to consult radiation oncology in the inpatient setting increased from 22% to 78%, and from 7% to 61% in the outpatient setting. Most respondents believed they would benefit from more training on when to consult radiation oncology (90% pre-lecture and 75% post-lecture). Following the lecture, 67% of respondents thought they were more likely to consult radiation oncology.

Conclusion:

IM residents are in favor of more radiation oncology education within residency. A structured lecture significantly improved knowledge and confidence in identifying appropriate consultation scenarios. This scalable educational model may serve to improve radiation oncology awareness and foster collaboration in oncologic patient care.