Back to Search Start Over

American Society of Clinical Oncology-Sponsored Oncology Student Interest Groups in Latin America.

Authors :
Anampa-Guzmán A
Brito-Hijar AD
Gutierrez-Narvaez CA
Molina-Ruiz AR
Simo-Mendoza V
González-Woge M
de la O Murillo A
Leon-Ferre R
Source :
JCO global oncology [JCO Glob Oncol] 2020 Sep; Vol. 6, pp. 1439-1445.
Publication Year :
2020

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the characteristics of the members of the ASCO-sponsored Oncology Student Interest Groups (OSIGs) in Latin America.<br />Methods: This was a multicenter cross-sectional study. We surveyed 97 OSIG members from three medical schools in Peru and Mexico. We administered a 60-question survey covering topics including personal background, oncology training experience, and professional practice expectations and preferences.<br />Results: A little more than one half of the surveyed OSIG members were female. More than one half had a visa to visit the United States and had an advanced level of English. One half of the OSIG members were also ASCO members. Most participants agreed or strongly agreed that participation in their OSIG increased their interest in cancer-related specialties (94%) and provided professional networking opportunities (94%) and that it was accessible to all students (91%). Most participants believed that their OSIG had sufficient resources to carry out its activities. Students were asked to rate their interest when they entered medical school versus at the time of the survey. Most of the members were strongly interested in pursuing surgical oncology. The majority of members were somewhat interested or very interested in palliative care and medical oncology.<br />Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study that provides data on medical student perceptions of the Latin American OSIGs sponsored by ASCO. Student perceptions of medical oncology and the impact of OSIGs were generally positive. Given the shortages of oncology specialists in Latin American and elsewhere, strategies to engage medical students in the pursuit of cancer-related careers are becoming increasingly essential.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2687-8941
Volume :
6
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
JCO global oncology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
32997539
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1200/GO.20.00363