Overview of Undergraduate Oncology Interest Groups: Medical Students’ Insights from a National Collaborative Network

Rallis, Kathrine S; Wang, Yuxiao Alice

doi:10.1007/s13187-020-01887-y

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 10 publications

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“…14 The limited uptake in Europe and Asia may partly relate to closer relationship of trainee groups with oncology societies such as the European Society of Medical Oncology and the European Society of Oncology, both of which have medical student initiatives, and other efforts such as the British Oncology Network for Undergraduate Societies, which consists of a network of students and junior physicians promoting careers in oncology. 15 It is likely that many of the trainee needs are largely satisfied by these efforts. However, the existence of student groups organized and supported by different oncology societies with common goals, but with different insights into regional student needs, offers opportunities for global student exchange, networking, and collaboration in an increasingly connected world.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

ASCO-Sponsored Oncology Student Interest Groups in the World

Anampa-Guzmán

Loli-Guevara

Gutierrez-Narvaez

et al. 2021

JCO Global Oncology

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PURPOSE In 2015, ASCO established a program designed to support medical interest in cancer-related careers: Oncology Student Interest Groups (OSIGs). The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics of current student leaders of ASCO-sponsored OSIGs and their perceptions of cancer-related careers. METHODS We reviewed the list of all ASCO-sponsored OSIGs between 2015 and 2021. For this study, we focused on OSIGs that were sponsored during the 2019-2020 academic year. All student leaders of the 89 OSIGs active in that academic year were invited to participate. RESULTS The number of groups has more than tripled in the 6 years since the program's inception. The number of international groups has increased to become almost one fifth of all OSIGs; however, the range of countries represented remains limited. The majority of OSIG leaders were female. Eighty two percent of OSIGs were returning members, with most of their leaders being registered ASCO student members. Almost all participants reported an interest in pursuing a cancer-related specialty. Only a minority (14.8%) reported having a family member working in a cancer-related career. However, 85% reported having experience with a cancer diagnosis in their family. The majority of the respondents had a favorable perception of medical oncology as a specialty. Participants reported the highest levels of interest in medical oncology and pediatric oncology. CONCLUSION The number of ASCO-sponsored OSIGs has steadily increased since the creation of the program. Most participants reported an interest in pursuing a cancer-related career. To our knowledge, this study is the first to provide insights into the makeup of this program around the world. Additional efforts are needed to increase the global reach of the program, particularly in low-income countries.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%