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Gunther JR, De La Cruz D, Boyce-Fappiano D, Ponnie AE, Smith L, Holliday EB, Bishop AJ, Choi SL, Koong AC, Das P, Pinnix CC. Implementation and Assessment of an Informal Virtual Elective for Medical Student Radiation Oncology Exploration During the COVID19 Pandemic: a Brief Report. JOURNAL OF CANCER EDUCATION : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR CANCER EDUCATION 2023; 38:344-348. [PMID: 35013900 DOI: 10.1007/s13187-021-02122-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Subspecialty exposure during medical school can be limited. Moreover, the COVID19 pandemic prevented most onsite elective medical student (MS) rotations during 2020. Therefore, we sought to create and assess the efficacy of an informal virtual elective (IVE) for MSs to explore radiation oncology (RO) at our institution. We created IVE activities including invitations to resident didactics, a faculty lecture series, and interactive virtual events with residents and faculty. MSs were offered RO resident and faculty mentors and the opportunity to deliver a lecture. Pre- and post-IVE evaluation surveys were sent to 27 4th year MSs. Surveys utilized importance ordering (1=most important; reported as median (interquartile range), free response, and Likert-type questions (5 = extremely, 1=not at all). Our IVE, held from July to October 2020, had a median of 11 students (range 7-18) attend each activity. Pre- and post-IVE surveys were completed by 22/27 (81%) and 20/27 (74%) MSs, respectively. In pre-IVE, MSs reported participating in the IVE for faculty/resident interaction (1.5 [1, 2]), networking (3 [2, 3]), and learning (4 [3-5]). In post-IVE, MSs reported benefit from faculty mentors (5 [4, 5]), delivering a presentation (5 [3-5]), and faculty lectures (4.5 [4, 5]). In post-IVE, MSs preferred a full onsite away elective (16, 80%) over an official virtual elective (1, 5%) or IVE (3, 15%). Overall, MSs reported that the IVE provided an adequate introduction to RO at our institution (4 [4, 5]). Alternative virtual elective experiences allow MSs to informally evaluate medical subspecialties and could be offered even if formal elective opportunities are available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian R Gunther
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 0097, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Denise De La Cruz
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 0097, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, USA
| | - David Boyce-Fappiano
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 0097, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Annette Eakes Ponnie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 0097, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Letericia Smith
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 0097, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Emma B Holliday
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 0097, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Andrew J Bishop
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 0097, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Seungtaek L Choi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 0097, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Albert C Koong
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 0097, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Prajnan Das
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 0097, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Chelsea C Pinnix
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Unit 0097, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, USA
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Cheng CF, Knewitz AP, Pasic TR, Glazer TA. How We Do It: Otolaryngology Applicant Impressions of Virtual Meet and Greets at a Single Institution. JOURNAL OF SURGICAL EDUCATION 2022; 79:40-45. [PMID: 34452854 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsurg.2021.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic altered residency recruitment in the 2021 application cycle. As a result, many programs adapted by creating virtual opportunities to connect with applicants such as clerkships, open houses, meet and greets, and interviews. Recent research has explored applicant impressions on virtual interviews and open houses, but none have assessed the utility of meet and greets, optimal structure, or desired topics to be addressed. METHODS We hosted two virtual meet and greets for otolaryngology applicants and subsequently conducted a structured survey to assess the benefit, gather insight into desired topics, and determine how future sessions could be optimized. RESULTS Twenty of 65 participants responded to the survey (31% response rate). The majority of participants learned about the event through social media (n = 15) or online resources such as OtoMatch or HeadMirror (n = 12). Desired topics to be addressed included faculty-resident relationships (85%), research (80%), the city of Madison (75%), breadth and depth of faculty (75%), and ability to train residents for future positions and fellowships (75%), among others. Overall, participants found the events helpful in conveying the culture and environment, exposure to faculty and residents, addressing questions, and providing insight into intangible aspects of the program. The main area of improvement identified was related to having breakout rooms, longer sessions, and varying the topics for breakout rooms. CONCLUSION Virtual meet and greets facilitate outreach and provide opportunities for applicants to engage with residency programs and demonstrate interest. While initially implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they will likely remain helpful in generating interest, reaching broader audiences, and possibly facilitating a successful match. It is critical to understand and incorporate the content that applicants wish to learn about at virtual meet and greets to best address questions, highlight key features, and demonstrate the intangible aspects of a residency program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christie F Cheng
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Allison P Knewitz
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Thomas R Pasic
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin; Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Tiffany A Glazer
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, Wisconsin; University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin.
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