Growing Interest in Global Health Among Trainees: The Need for Increasing Training Opportunities for Residents and Fellows in Oncology

TL;DR

Oncology trainees at MD Anderson show strong interest in global health, prompting the creation of a new training program to improve cancer care in low-resource settings.

Contribution

The paper introduces a new Global Cancer Care Track to address trainee interest and improve global oncology training.

Findings

Most trainees expressed interest in global oncology activities and desired formalized training opportunities.

Only a small fraction of trainees had prior global oncology experience or access to mentorship.

The institution is implementing a structured global oncology training track based on trainee demand.

Abstract

Purpose: Disparities in Global Cancer Care outcomes continue to grow between high- and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Specific competencies are required to provide effective oncologic care in low-resource settings. We assessed trainee interest and participation in global oncology and training activities at a major cancer center to determine support for future global oncology program development.

Methods: An online survey was administered to trainees at MD Anderson Cancer Center in November 2020. Questions addressed interest in global health, prior experience, perceptions of mentorship and opportunities, career aspirations, and interest in participation in global oncology training.

Results: Survey links were emailed to all trainees (n = 318) enrolled in oncology-related residency and fellowship training programs. Completed surveys were returned by 72 trainees (22.6%) spanning 17 programs. Thirty-three trainees expressed interest in global health, and 8 (24.2%) had previous or ongoing experience specific to global oncology. Seven (21.2%) indicated they had good access to global oncology faculty mentorship, while 26 (78.8%) indicated little to no access to mentorship. Thirty (90%) indicated that they wished to include global oncology activities in their future careers. More than half of the respondents indicated interest in participating in global oncology activities in training, including collaborative research projects with partners abroad, clinical work and education abroad, and global oncology grand rounds and journal clubs. Thirteen (39.4%) were interested in a global health track and 12 (36.4%) requested formalized coursework.

Conclusions: We found significant interest in global health among trainees in oncology specialties at MD Anderson. As a result, the institution is implementing the Global Cancer Care Track for all trainees. The track includes a formalized curriculum, mentorship, research, and clinical opportunities to develop future leaders in global oncology with the goal of improving cancer care in low-resource settings.

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