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Fernandez Montes A, Elez E, de la Haba-Rodriguez J, Paez D, Mendez-Vidal MJ, Felip E, Rodriguez-Lescure A. Medical oncology workload, workforce census, and needs in Spain: two nationwide studies by the Spanish Society of medical oncology. Clin Transl Oncol 2024; 26:98-108. [PMID: 37316754 PMCID: PMC10266958 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-023-03225-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Growing complexity and demand for cancer care entail increased challenges for Medical Oncology (MO). The Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) has promoted studies to provide updated data to estimate the need for medical oncologists in 2040 and to analyse current professional standing of young medical oncologists. METHODS Two national, online surveys were conducted. The first (2021) targeted 146 Heads of MO Departments, and the second (2022), 775 young medical oncologists who had completed their MO residency between 2014 and 2021. Participants were contacted individually, and data were processed anonymously. RESULTS Participation rates reached 78.8% and 48.8%, respectively. The updated data suggest that 87-110 new medical oncologist full-time equivalents (FTEs) should be recruited each year to achieve an optimal ratio of 110-130 new cases per medical oncologist FTE by 2040. The professional standing analysis reveals that 9.1% of medical oncologists trained in Spain do not work in clinical care in the country, with tremendous employment instability (only 15.2% have a permanent contract). A high percentage of young medical oncologists have contemplated career paths other than clinical care (64.5%) or working in other countries (51.7%). CONCLUSIONS Optimal ratios of medical oncologists must be achieved to tackle the evolution of MO workloads and challenges in comprehensive cancer care. However, the incorporation and permanence of medical oncologists in the national healthcare system in Spain could be compromised by their current sub-optimal professional standing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Fernandez Montes
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Complex of Ourense (CHUO), Ourense, Galicia, Spain.
| | - Elena Elez
- Medical Oncology Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Univesitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
| | - Juan de la Haba-Rodriguez
- Medical Oncology Department, Reina Sofia University Hospital, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research in Cordoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - David Paez
- Department of Medical Oncology, Santa Creu I Sant Pau University Hospital, U705, ISCIII Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
| | - Maria Jose Mendez-Vidal
- Medical Oncology Department, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research in Cordoba, Reina Sofia University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Enriqueta Felip
- Medical Oncology Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
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Nardone V, Boldrini L, Salvestrini V, Greco C, Petrianni GM, Desideri I, De Felice F. Are you planning to be a radiation oncologist? A survey by the young group of the Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (yAIRO). LA RADIOLOGIA MEDICA 2023; 128:252-260. [PMID: 36586084 DOI: 10.1007/s11547-022-01586-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The Young Section of the Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (yAIRO) circulated an online questionnaire survey among residents currently enrolled within Italian radiotherapy residency schools to investigate the profiles, motivations, knowledge of the radiotherapy discipline, organizations and the needs of younger members. MATERIALS AND METHODS The survey was developed by the yAIRO steering committee and included questions about the demographic characteristics of the residents (Profile A), the background of their clinical experience during the school of medicine and national residency admission test performance (Profile B) and the residents' knowledge of the scientific associations active in the field of radiotherapy (Profile C). RESULTS Out of 400 residents actually in training, 134 responded to the questionnaire (response rate 33.5%). According to most of the residents, radiotherapy was not adequately studied during the medical school (n. 95; 71%) and an Internship in Radiotherapy was not mandatory (n. 99; 74%). Only a minority of the residents had chosen to complete a master's degree thesis in radiotherapy (n. 12; 9%). A low percentage of the residents stated that they were aware of the Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (AIRO), its young section (yAIRO) and the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) when they were in School of Medicine (respectively, 11%, 7% and 13%). CONCLUSIONS The results of the survey require a profound reflection on the current teaching methods of Radiation Oncology in our country, highlighting the need for a better integration in the framework of the School of Medicine core curriculum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Nardone
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Luca Boldrini
- Radiation Oncology, IRCCS, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Viola Salvestrini
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, 50134, Florence, Italy.,CyberKnife Center, Istituto Fiorentino di Cura e Assistenza (IFCA), 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Carlo Greco
- Research Unit of Radiation Oncology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Via Alvaro del Portillo 21, 00128, Rome, Italy.,Operative Research Unit of Radiation Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Via Alvaro del Portillo 200, 00128, Rome, Italy
| | - Gian Marco Petrianni
- Operative Research Unit of Radiation Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Via Alvaro del Portillo 200, 00128, Rome, Italy.
| | - Isacco Desideri
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, 50134, Florence, Italy.,Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesca De Felice
- Radiation Oncology, Policlinico Umberto I "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 326, 00161, Rome, Italy
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Dunn A, Costello S, Imlach F, Jo E, Gurney J, Simpson R, Sarfati D. Using national data to model the New Zealand radiation oncology workforce. J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol 2022; 66:708-716. [PMID: 35768935 PMCID: PMC9542613 DOI: 10.1111/1754-9485.13448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Demand for radiation therapy is expected to increase over time. In Aotearoa/New Zealand, the radiation oncology workforce experiences high numbers of clinical hours but an intervention rate that is lower than in comparable countries, suggesting unmet treatment need. Accurate models on the supply and demand for radiation oncologists (ROs) are needed to ensure adequate staffing levels. Methods We developed a demand model that predicted the future number of ROs required, using national data from the Radiation Oncology Collection (ROC) and a survey of ROs. Radiation therapy intervention and retreatment rates (IR/RTRs), and benign and non‐cancer conditions being treated, were derived from the ROC and applied to Census population projections. Survey data provided definitions of treatment by complexity, time spent in different activities and time available for work. Results were linked to radiation oncology workforce forecasts from a supply model developed by the Ministry of Health. Results The demand model showed that 85 ROs would be needed in 2031, if current IR/RTRs were maintained, an increase from 68 in 2021. The supply model predicted a decrease in ROs over time, leaving a significant shortfall. Model parameters could be modified to assess the impact of workforce or practice changes; more ROs would be needed if average working hours reduced or IR/RTRs increased. Conclusion Workforce models based on robust data collections are an important tool for workforce planning. The RO demand model presented here combines detailed information on treatment and work activities to provide credible estimates that can be used to inform actions on training, recruitment and retention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Dunn
- Te Aho o Te Kahu/Cancer Control Agency, Wellington, New Zealand
| | | | - Fiona Imlach
- Te Aho o Te Kahu/Cancer Control Agency, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Emmanuel Jo
- Health Workforce Directorate, Ministry of Health, Wellington, New Zealand.,Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jason Gurney
- Te Aho o Te Kahu/Cancer Control Agency, Wellington, New Zealand.,Cancer and Chronic Conditions (C3) Research Group, Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Rose Simpson
- Te Aho o Te Kahu/Cancer Control Agency, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Diana Sarfati
- Te Aho o Te Kahu/Cancer Control Agency, Wellington, New Zealand
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Remon J, Reguart N, García-Campelo R, Conde E, Lucena CM, Persiva O, Navarro-Martin A, Rami-Porta R. Lung Cancer in Spain. J Thorac Oncol 2020; 16:197-204. [PMID: 33109473 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2020.09.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Remon
- Department of Medical Oncology, Centro Integral Oncológico Clara Campal, Hospital HM Delfos, HM Hospitales, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Noemí Reguart
- Thoracic Oncology Unit, Department of Medical Oncology, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Translational Genomics and Targeted Therapeutics in Solid Tumours, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rosario García-Campelo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Esther Conde
- Pathology and Laboratory of Therapeutic Targets, Hospital Universitario HM Sanchinarro-Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen-María Lucena
- Thoracic Oncology Unit, Department of Pulmonology, Respiratory Institute, Hospital Clínic Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Oscar Persiva
- Department of Radiology, Hospital Vall d'Hebron de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Arturo Navarro-Martin
- Department of Radiation Oncology Department, Institut Català d'Oncologia, Hospital Duran i Reynals, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ramón Rami-Porta
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Hospital Universitari Mútua Terrassa, University of Barcelona, Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain; Lung Cancer Group, Network of Centers for Biomedical Research in Respiratory Diseases/Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Respiratorias, Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain
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