Table 4 Views on oncology: comparison of responses from pre- and post-conference questionnaires (n = 34)
Question | Pre-conference | Post-conference | p-value |
|---|---|---|---|
How likely are you to pursue a career in oncology? | 3.1 ± 1.2 | 3.9 ± 0.8 | 0.0012 |
Rate your interest in the following oncology career pathways | |||
Clinical research (e.g. clinical trials) | 3.6 ± 1.2 | 3.8 ± 1.0 | |
Scientific research (e.g. laboratory, pre-clinical) | 3.2 ± 1.0 | 3.5 ± 1.1 | |
Clinical oncology | 3.5 ± 1.1 | 3.8 ± 0.9 | |
Medical oncology | 3.6 ± 1.0 | 3.7 ± 1.1 | |
Surgical oncology | 3.2 ± 1.3 | 3.4 ± 1.3 | |
Palliative care | 2.6 ± 1.3 | 2.8 ± 1.3 | |
Rate how much you agree with the following statements | |||
Oncology is a challenging specialty. | 4.1 ± 1.0 | 4.1 ± 0.7 | |
If I were an oncologist, I am afraid that I would be overly sensitive. | 3.1 ± 1.0 | 2.9 ± 1.0 | |
If I were an oncologist, I am afraid that I would be too thick-skinned. | 2.1 ± 1.0 | 2.0 ± 0.7 | |
If I were an oncologist, I feel like I would be able to cope with the emotional challenges in this field. | 3.3 ± 0.8 | 3.8 ± 0.7 | 0.0278 |
I am overall optimistic about cancer as a whole. | 3.4 ± 1.2 | 3.7 ± 1.0 | |
I am overall pessimistic about cancer as a whole. | 2.3 ± 1.1 | 2.1 ± 1.0 | |
Rate how much knowledge or exposure you have had in the following aspects of oncology | |||
Career and specialty training pathway | 2.5 ± 1.2 | 3.4 ± 1.0 | < 0.0001 |
Patient pathway (from diagnosis to treatment to recovery) | 3.4 ± 1.1 | 3.9 ± 1.0 | 0.0008 |
Patient experience and views | 3.1 ± 1.0 | 4.0 ± 1.0 | < 0.0001 |
Types of cancer research and how they are carried out | 2.7 ± 1.1 | 3.6 ± 1.0 | < 0.0001 |
Understanding of the different multi-disciplinary members and their roles in the cancer pathway | 3.6 ± 1.1 | 4.0 ± 0.8 | 0.0348 |
Rate your confidence in the following | |||
Communicating with a cancer patient | 3.0 ± 1.0 | 3.8 ± 0.8 | < 0.0001 |
Speaking about death and dying with a cancer patient | 2.1 ± 1.1 | 3.0 ± 1.0 | < 0.0001 |
Identifying skin cancer lesions | 1.7 ± 0.9 | 3.3 ± 0.8 | < 0.0001 |
Knowledge of the organisation and important aspects that govern clinical trial research | 2.3 ± 1.1 | 3.6 ± 1.1 | < 0.0001 |
How to build your CV towards a career in oncology | 2.3 ± 0.8 | 3.6 ± 1.1 | < 0.0001 |
Knowledge of the role of interventional radiology in diagnosing and treating cancer | 2.4 ± 1.1 | 3.8 ± 1.0 | < 0.0001 |