Faculty of Radiation Oncology 2018 workforce census

Abstract

Introduction This paper reports the key findings of the Faculty of Radiation Oncology 2018 workforce census and compares results with previous studies. Methods The census was conducted in mid‐2018 with distribution to all radiation oncologists and trainees listed on the college database in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and overseas. There were new questions about hours spent on multidisciplinary meetings (MDTS), leadership positions held, management of inpatients, hypofractionation, stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), income type and gynae‐oncology work for radiation oncologists. Trainees were asked about time spent on planning and contouring. Results The overall response rate was 69.9% with 67.7% of radiation oncologists and 77.9% of trainees responding. There were 514 radiation oncologists with 60% male and a mean age of 49 years (median = 46 years, range 31–91). The majority of respondents were Caucasian (57.7%) and from New South Wales (29.4%). Sixty‐one per cent were subspecialists with breast, SBRT and urological cancers, the most popular areas of interest, and 56% held leadership positions. The majority worked in the public sector (55.7%), but 31.7% worked solely in the private sector with an average working week of 43.4 hours (h) (median = 44, range 2–110). Radiation oncologists spent an average of 3.6 h on MDTS (median = 4 h), 2.2h (median = 2 h) on simulation and 8 h (median = 5 h) on contouring per week. They averaged 245 new patients (median = 250, range 30–695) and 25 inpatients (median = 20) per year. Hypofractionation was used for radical treatment of breast (75%) and prostate cancer (49%). Radiation oncologists were mainly remunerated with a fixed income (53%) with 40% having some incentive‐based income. There were 140 trainees with an equal male and female distribution. The large majority (88%) were satisfied with their career and network (83%). Most trainees worked between 36 and 55h per week with 15% having no protected time. Most trainees spent less than 5 hours on planning each week and job availability remained a major concern (90%). Conclusions The radiation oncologist numbers have increased significantly, but unemployment remains low. Many parameters remain similar to the 2014 census, but new information has been obtained on special interest areas, leadership positions, gynae‐oncology, inpatients, hypofractionation use, remuneration and contouring. Trainee numbers remain stable with an increased percentage satisfied with their career with much less concern about oversupply. Protected time remains an issue with contouring time and teaching emerging as a potential issue.

National Trends and Dynamic Responses in the Canadian Radiation Oncology Workforce From 1990 to 2018

“…Both RO trainee and workforce demographics show improved female gender representation that reached gender parity in training programs and a 1.67:1 male-to-female ratio in the physician workforce. By comparison, the Australian RO workforce had a 1.67:1 male-to-female ratio in 2014, 15 whereas the 2017 ASTRO workforce study reported a rise in female representation from 25.8% in 2012 to 28.9% in 2017 (2.88:1 and 2.46:1 male-to-female ratios, respectively) in the United States RO workforce. 16 Men have traditionally outnumbered women in RO practice in Canada, but the gender gap has narrowed and is projected to reach parity sometime between 2030 and 2034.…”

Employment for radiation oncologists in Australia and New Zealand: Recent graduates survey of experiences and perspectives

“…In the past, securing a specialist job was seen as a natural progression of training and may have been relatively seamless. However, in the last decade, there has been a steady and large increase in trainee numbers In Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) peaking at 159 in 2011 . This increase in trainee numbers has created apprehension about job prospects post training.…”

“…However, there is no ‘hard’ evidence to confirm whether trainees struggle to secure employment post training. In fact, the ‘evidence’ is either anecdotal or reflects apprehension amongst the radiation oncology community . Hence, an analysis of all recent graduates might provide some crucial information in this regard.…”

United States and Australia and New Zealand Radiation Oncology Trainee Concerns, Examination, and Training: A Comparison and What We Can Learn From Each Other

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Many of the issues discussed in the United States have also been reported in Australia and New Zealand, so it would be instructive to highlight comparisons. [9][10][11][12][13] Perhaps more importantly, we might be able to learn from one another and facilitate changes.…”

“…In fact, unemployment has remained between 1% and 3%. [11][12][13] We intend to regularly evaluate in detail our new graduate experiences to keep abreast of this situation. 9 Much has been written about the examinations.…”