A Survey Assessment of Nuclear Medicine Trainees’ Participation and Impact in Multidisciplinary Cancer Conferences: A Single-Center Study

TL;DR

This study explores how nuclear medicine trainees contribute to cancer conferences and finds they positively impact collaboration and patient care.

Contribution

The study specifically evaluates the role and impact of nuclear medicine trainees in multidisciplinary cancer conferences.

Findings

Most respondents believed nuclear medicine trainees improved interprofessional collaboration and patient care.

A majority reported educational benefits from trainee participation in conferences.

Barriers to trainee impact included inconsistent attendance and limited clinical experience.

Abstract

Background: Multidisciplinary cancer conferences (MCCs) are essential forums for collaborative oncology decision-making. However, existing literature has primarily examined the role of attending specialists and has rarely differentiated effects by specialty. The contributions of trainees, particularly in nuclear medicine, have been largely overlooked, leaving a gap in understanding how their participation influences both educational outcomes and patient management. This study addresses this gap by systematically evaluating the perceived impact of nuclear medicine trainees in MCCs.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to 73 healthcare professionals at a tertiary medical center, including nuclear medicine specialists, trainees, and clinicians from surgery, oncology, and radiology. The survey included Likert-scale and multiple-choice questions to assess perceptions of trainee contributions to interprofessional collaboration, clinical decision-making, and patient outcomes. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) and chi-square tests were applied to analyze Likert-scale responses and compare responses between nuclear medicine and non-nuclear medicine specialists. P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results: Of the 73 respondents, 57 (78.1%) indicated that nuclear medicine trainees enhanced interprofessional collaboration, while 56 (76.7%) reported a positive influence on patient care. Additionally, 60 (82.2%) perceived an educational benefit through enriched clinical knowledge. Chi-square analysis revealed no significant differences in perceptions across professional groups (p = 0.568). Reported barriers included inconsistent attendance, limited clinical experience, and time constraints.

Conclusion: Nuclear medicine trainees play a valuable role in MCCs by enriching clinical discussions, supporting patient care, and contributing to professional development. To maximize their impact, structured learning opportunities, increased mentorship, and improved logistical support are recommended. These findings emphasize the importance of formally integrating trainees into MCC workflows to enhance both educational and clinical outcomes.

Figures