Topic selection in undergraduate medical education and relevance to general practice

Most patients who have possibly malignant diseases are first seen by physicians not specifically trained in oncology. The cancer education that undergraduate medical students receive is frequently dominated by basic science topics, detailed staging data, pharmacology of cancer drugs, and treatment protocols. This is not in accordance with the needs in general practice. In pre-course information and correspondence with reference to the International Summer School "Oncology for Medical Students," held in Groningen, The Netherlands, it is emphasized that the Summer School focuses on cancer care in general practice. As part of the education program participants are required to prepare abstracts and posters on oncologic topics in general health care in their own countries. Despite the emphasis on cancer care in general practice and despite suggestions for topics, some students have first sent in abstracts describing basic sciences research projects. Evidently during their medical training the relevancy of cancer education to the reality of daily practice had not been taught or had already been lost. In teaching undergraduate medical students, it should be realized that the vast majority will choose non-oncology disciplines. Thus, cancer education of these students should focus mainly on clinical cancer issues that are relevant in general practice.