Abstract
In order to evaluate the perceived quality of training and education among young Italian radiation oncologists (age <40), AIRO Giovani (Italian Association of Radiation Oncology-Young Members Working Group) carried out a nationwide online survey in 2011, employing a 63-item-based questionnaire, addressed to physician’s self-perception of personal training experience (during decade 2001–2011). Issues explored investigated demographics data, duration/organization/content/characteristics of residency programs, the quality of education in clinical oncology, radiation oncology, management and communication attitudes. A total of 382 questionnaires were sent out to physicians and 217 (56.8 %) were returned with 197 (51.6 %) appropriately filled in and considered for the analysis. The general perception of education and training is positive in most of the explored fields, however some specific contexts and skills still require optimization (combination therapy, peculiar clinical scenarios, particular radiotherapy technical issues, structural organization of residency programs). The present report is expected to be useful for residents, program directors and scientific societies (such as AIRO), to further continue the effort in the improvement of training in radiation oncology.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Filippi AR, Alongi F, Ciammella P, et al. A strategy for young members within national radiation oncology societies: the Italian experience (AIRO Giovani Group). Rep Pract Oncol Radiother. 2012;17:259–61.
Leer JW, Overgaard J, Heeren G. The European core curriculum on radiotherapy. Radiother Oncol. 1997;43:97–101.
Baumann M, Leer JW, Dahl O, et al. Updated European core curriculum for radiotherapists (radiation oncologists). Recommended curriculum for the specialist training of medical practitioners in radiotherapy (radiation oncology) within Europe. Radiother Oncol. 2004;70:107–13.
Eriksen JG, Beavis AW, Coffey MA, et al. The updated ESTRO core curricula 2011 for clinicians, medical physicists and RTTs in radiotherapy/radiation oncology. Radiother Oncol. 2012;103:103–8.
Semarau R, Hansemann K, Adam M, et al. Quality of training in radiation oncology in Germany. Results of a 2006 survey. Strahlenther Onkol. 2008;184:239–44.
Kantor G, Huguet F, Toledano A, et al. Radiation oncology training in France: demography, analysis of motivations of the young specialists, evaluation of the training. Cancer Radiother. 2005;9:435–43.
Gondi V, Bernard JR Jr, Jabbari S, et al. Results of the 2005–2008 association of residents in radiation oncology survey of chief residents in the United States: clinical training and resident working conditions. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2011;81:1120–7.
Franco P, Catuzzo P, Cante D, et al. TomoDirect: an efficient means to deliver radiation at static angles with tomotherapy. Tumori. 2011;97:498–502.
Cante D, Franco P, Sciacero P, et al. Five-years results of a prospective case series of accelerated hypofractionated whole breast radiation with concomitant boost to the surgical bed after conserving surgery for early breast cancer. Med Oncol. 2013;30:518.
Ricardi U, Racca P, Franco P, et al. Prospective phase II trial of neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy with Oxaliplatin and Capecitabine in locally advanced rectal cancer (XELOXART). Med Oncol. 2013;30:581.
CanMEDS2000: extract form the CANMEDS2000 project societal needs working group report. Med Teach. 2000;22:549–54.
Offerta Formativa-Scuole di Specializzazione-Obiettivi della classe della diagnostica per immagini e radioterapia-Ministero Istruzione Università e Ricerca. http://www.miur.it. Accessed 28 April 2013.
De Bari B, Chiesa S, Filippi AR, et al. The INTER-ROMA project—a survey among Italian radiation oncologists on their approach to the treatment of bone metastases. Tumori. 2011;97:177–84.
Alongi F, De Bari B, Franco P, et al. The PROCAINA (PROstate Cancer Indication Attitudes) Project (Part I): a survey among young Italian radiation oncologists on postoperative radiotherapy in prostate cancer. Radiol Med. 2013;118:660–78.
De Bari B, Alongi F, Franco P, et al. The PROCAINA (PROstate Cancer Indication Attitudes) Project (Part II): a survey among young Italian radiation oncologists on radical radiotherapy in prostate cancer. Radiol Med. 2013. doi:10.1007/s11547-013-0925-z.
Ciammella P, De Bari B, Fiorentino A, et al. The ‘BUONGIORNO’ project: Burn Out Syndrome among Young Italian Radiation Oncologists. Cancer Invest. 2013. doi:10.3109/07357907.2013.830735.
Conflict of interest
No conflicts of interest to be declared.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
This study was carried out on behalf of AIRO Giovani (Italian Association of Radiation Oncology-Young Members Working Group)
Appendix: Questionnaire complete form
Appendix: Questionnaire complete form
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Franco, P., Ciammella, P., Peruzzo Cornetto, A. et al. The STYRO 2011 project: a survey on perceived quality of training among young Italian radiation oncologists. Med Oncol 30, 729 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12032-013-0729-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12032-013-0729-y