Advances in cancer management: at what cost to medical student education?

Several studies have demonstrated concern over medical student exposure to cancer patients. Aim. To examine this concern and explore possible explanations.

Surveys of Australian and New Zealand interns in 1990 and 2001 were compared to surveys of University of Western Australia graduates from 2002-2006.

Significant decreases in the number of interns who had examined cancer patients from 1990 to 2006 were evident, despite spending more time in oncology clinics.

Advances in patient management has resulted in a shift to ambulatory care reducing patient accessibility. Medical schools must identify means to provide students with adequate patent exposure.