Junior doctors' perspective on oncology placement

This article was migrated. The article was not marked as recommended. IntroductionThe incidence of cancer is increasing and cancer care is rapidly changing. Junior doctors have reported lack of confidence in managing patients with cancer. We sought feedback from junior doctors on placement within our centre to quantify the educational impact on their training.MethodsJunior doctors who undertook a placement between February 2015 and August 2016 were asked to complete an online survey covering quality of training, clinical support and future career aspirations prior to and following the rotation.Results47 of 81 (58%) responses were received.Median score for quality of clinical experience was 6/10 (interquartile range 5-8). 40(85%) preferred working on the assessment unit compared to inpatient wards.42(90%) trainees felt confident managing neutropenic sepsis and malignant spinal cord compression. 14(30%) felt confident managing acute radiotherapy toxicities and 19(40%) felt confident managing systemic anti-cancer agent toxicities. 35(75%) felt confident managing end of life care patients.29(61%) felt senior support to be good during regular hours and 24(52%) felt the same for out-of-hours working.24(51%) found oncology-specific departmental teaching useful.Prior to the rotation 10(21%) wished to train in oncology and this was maintained following the attachment.ConclusionJunior trainees were confident managing acute oncological emergencies and end of life care patients but were less certain managing radiotherapy/chemotherapy toxicities. There remains scope for development of oncology-specific teaching and improving clinical support.