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Exploring the Hidden Curriculum in Undergraduate Oncology Teaching
Ertan Teodorescu-Arghezi1, Naomi Quinton2
1Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCFT), Preston, UK.
Summary
Medical students have limited awareness of the hidden curriculum in oncology education. Enhancing communication, empathy, and role modeling in teaching is crucial for improving cancer patient care.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Oncology
- Hidden Curriculum Studies
Background:
- The hidden curriculum in medical education is often underestimated and misunderstood.
- Its specific role and impact in undergraduate oncology teaching remain underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate medical students' awareness of the hidden curriculum.
- To assess the hidden curriculum's impact on undergraduate oncology teaching.
Main Methods:
- Conducted semi-structured interviews with eight Year 4 medical students post-oncology placement.
- Utilized thematic analysis on transcribed interview data.
Main Results:
- Identified two overarching themes and five main themes regarding the hidden curriculum.
- Students perceive the hidden curriculum's elements and impact, highlighting communication, empathy, and role modeling.
Conclusions:
- Medical students possess limited awareness of the hidden curriculum concept.
- Increased emphasis on communication, empathy, and role modeling is desired in oncology teaching.
- Reconsidering oncology placement duration is suggested to improve cancer patient care education.
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