Radiation Oncology Residency Selection: A Post-Graduate Evaluation of Factor Importance and Survey of Variables Associated with Job Securement

Publication date: Available online 26 April 2017
Source:Practical Radiation Oncology
Author(s): Jeffrey V. Brower, Stanley L. Liauw, Abhinav V. Reddy, Daniel W. Golden
BackgroundMedical students often choose to pursue a career in Radiation Oncology with limited meaningful exposure to the field. We previously identified factors which were most influential to an applicant's rank list order. Here we sought to assess if residency graduates had differing views regarding those factors. We also polled recent graduates' attitudes of the current job market.Material and MethodsAn anonymous, internet-based survey was developed and distributed to graduates of radiation oncology residencies from 2003–06 and 2012–15 to assess the importance of factors with regard to residency selection, training, and job securement and attitudes toward the job market within the United States.ResultsResponses were received from 198 of 848 (23%) of those invited to participate. The respondents were divided into two cohorts for analysis, an "early" cohort (2001–09) and a "contemporary" cohort (2010–16) Respondents recalled "quality of clinical training," "perceived happiness of residents," and "sense of community among faculty and residents" as the three most important factors influencing the rank list; post-residency the most valued factors of the residency experience were "quality of clinical training," "geographic location," and "faculty mentorship." Factors that were assigned the greatest differential value in hindsight to influence the rank list included "faculty mentorship," "willingness of faculty to call employer," and "quality of alumni base." 64% of respondents reported the job market to be difficult or very difficult. This perception was more common among contemporary graduates (p<0.05). 60% of respondents reported "far too many" or "somewhat too many" residency positions for the actual job needs in the U.S.ConclusionAfter training, residency graduates place higher value on factors in residency that can directly improve job procurement. This finding is more common among more recent graduates, potentially a result of the perception of a tightening job market with too many radiation oncologists in training.



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