Virtual away rotations increase access to Radiation Oncology.

The COVID-19 pandemic altered the workplace for medical education. As restrictions ease, the opportunities provided by virtual rotations remain. Radiation Oncology rotations based around virtual participation with patients (consults, follow-ups, and brachytherapy), contouring and reviewing external beam plans, didactics, and unstructured office hours have been well-received at multiple institutions. Virtual rotations decrease barriers to access including lack of a Radiation Oncology Department at home institute and high cost of travel and housing. Furthermore, rotations can be adapted to pre-clinical students and those with prior Radiation Oncology rotation experience. However, the virtual format creates and exacerbates several challenges including technical difficulties with electronic medical record or treatment planning software, lack of spontaneous interactions common to in-person rotations, and unexpected delays in clinic. We recommend early scheduled time with IT services to troubleshoot any potential issues, scheduled office hours with faculty and videoconferencing with non-physician team members to mitigate omission of in-person introductions, and providing complete contact information for all staff scheduled to meet with students to facilitate communication when unexpected clinic issues arise. While we are all excited for quarantine restrictions to safely be lifted, we support the continued development of virtual away rotations as a flexible, more affordable option to increase exposure to the field.