Radiation Oncology in the Core Clinical Medical School Curriculum: An Update on the Oncology Education Initiative

Results: During the 2010 academic year, 155/208 (75%) students were present for the pretest, posttest and lecture, and therefore met the requirements for evaluation. 77 (49%) students were third-years and 78 (51%) students were fourth-years. The average exam score improved from 62% to 70% (p\0.001). All topics (100%) showed improvement in scores with the largest absolute improvement seen in the radiation oncology category, which increased from 57% to 72% (p\0.001). Fourth-year students performed significantly better than their third-year counterparts on the overall average pretest exam scores (64 % v. 60%, p= 0.04), however, there was no significant difference in posttest scores overall. (71% v. 68%, p= 0.11). Interestingly, as the year proceeded, averageexamscoresincreasedamongthird-yearstudentsanddecreasedamongfourth-yearstudents.Reviewingprevious classes, in the 2008 academic year, 137 students had exam score improvements from 59% to 70% ( p= 0.011). In the 2009 academic year, 145 students had exam score improvements from 60% to 71% (p\0.001). With over 400 students since the pre and post test were initiated, we continue to show significant improvements in the scores every year. Conclusions: In the successive years since the inception of the OEI, the addition of radiation oncology didactics continues to show a significant improvement in medical students’ knowledge of the field. Interestingly, it may be more beneficial to complete the radiology clerkship during the third-year, as students seemingly benefit more from the course at that point in their medical career. Radiation oncology didactics should be incorporated into the undergraduate medical curriculum to provide students with exposure to the field and a better understanding of multidisciplinary oncology management.