Presenters:
Alanna Janz, Paris Ann Ingledew
Authors:
Alanna Janz, Lisa Wang, Svetlana Bortnik, Jaspreet Garcha, Vincent Tam, Steven Yip, Paris Ann Ingledew
Poster Abstract:
Problem: Despite a rising incidence and prevalence of cancer in Canada, there are gaps in postgraduate medical curriculum related to oncology. Family medicine (FM) physicians provide a key role at all stages of the cancer journey and as such FM training programs should include relevant education. The purpose of our study was to assess the current state of oncology education in the University of British Columbia (UBC) FM residency program. Results were compared to the same recently completed national Canadian FM residency program survey (CFMRSPS) that did not include UBC.
Methods: A web-based survey, utilizing the previously conducted CFMRSPS, was distributed to 348 UBC FM residents (FMR) and 20 site directors (SD). The survey assessed presence of an oncology curriculum, current teaching methods and perceived gaps. Results were compared to CFMRSPS data (non-UBC) and interpreted with descriptive statistics.
Findings: 54/348 UBC FMR and 10/20 SD completed the survey. 3% of UBC and 7% of non-UBC FMR felt their program adequately prepared them to care for oncology patients. Between UBC FMR/SD and nonUBC FMR/SD there was uniformity in perceived importance of a list of oncology topics to be covered in training. There was discordance in the perceived frequency of topics taught between all FMR residents and SD. This discordance was more prominent in the BC data, than nationwide.
Implications: This study can inform further development of oncology specific curriculum in FM residency programs. Further study is required to understand areas of discordance between FMR and SD and across the country.
Keywords: oncology, medical education, family medicine
