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Research Survey on Recognition of Medical Oncology among Medical Students and Junior Residents in Japan
Yu Ota1, Ryoichi Hayashi2, Kota Tokunaga3
1Tokyo Metropolitan Bokutoh Hospital, 4-23-15 Kotobashi, Koto-Ku, Tokyo, 130-8575, Japan.
Purpose:
Few reports have investigated the attitudes of medical students and early residents toward medical oncology and their career decisions. This study aimed to assess recognition, interest, and factors influencing the intention to specialize in medical oncology among medical students and junior residents.
Methods:
A 20-item questionnaire survey was conducted online from November to December 2024. Participants were recruited from medical universities, university hospitals, and general hospitals across Japan. Responses regarding perceptions of medical oncology and decisive factors for career choice were analyzed.
Results:
A total of 632 medical students and junior residents completed the survey. Among them, 545 (86%) recognized medical oncology, and 243 (38%) considered it a potential future career. The correlation coefficient between academic year and recognition of medical oncology was 0.976, whereas that between academic year and interest was -0.810. Sensitivity of interest, defined as the proportion of participants considering medical oncology as a career among those interested in it, was highest in third-year students (0.78). Multivariate analysis identified interest in cancer treatment as the strongest predictor of considering medical oncology as a career (contribution rate, 43%; range, 1.62; partial correlation coefficient, 0.28).
Conclusion:
Recognition of medical oncology increased with academic year, whereas interest declined. Interest in cancer treatment was the strongest predictor of intention to specialize in medical oncology.
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