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Sola AB, Otón LF, Guedea F, Arenas M. A nationwide survey of the current status of radiation oncology teaching in Spanish medical schools. Rep Pract Oncol Radiother 2024; 28:794-800. [PMID: 38515816 PMCID: PMC10954273 DOI: 10.5603/rpor.98741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The present study was designed to collect information on the current status of radiation oncology (RO) teaching in undergraduate medical schools in Spain. Materials and methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted with the support of the Spanish Society of Radiation Oncology (SEOR). An anonymous questionnaire was sent in two waves, one month apart, between January and June 2022, to all Medical Schools and affiliated Institutions having radiotherapy departments throughout the country. Data on load, curricular location of OR, the academic course (or courses) in which the subject of OR was taught, and teachers position were recorded. Results Responses were obtained from 26 of the 46 available Medical Schools (response rate 56.5%). The average number of theoretical classes was 13 (0-30), seminars: 4.5 (0-12) and hours of practical training 17 (0-60). The scientific content of RO was covered very evenly. Medical physics and radiobiology were taught with different extension in 24 medical schools (92.3%). Information on technological equipment, brachytherapy, indications, and clinical results was provided in all but one medical school. In 13 medical schools (50.0%) the contents of RO were taught in more than one course, but the distribution of RO teaching during the six years of undergraduate training was quite dispersed. The teaching staff included 4 full professors, 8 tenured professors, and 68 clinical associate professors. The average number of associate professors per medical school was 2.2. Also, the average number of full professors and tenured lecturers was 0.42 per medical school, although there were none in 16 centers. Conclusions The overall teaching content of RO in Spanish medical schools seems appropriate but actions to improve the heterogeneity in the curricular location of RO and the shortage of teachers should be implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Biete Sola
- Radiotherapy Oncology Service, Hospital Clinic; Department de Fonaments Clinics, Universitat de Barcelona, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luis Fernando Otón
- Radiotherapy Oncology Service, Hospital Clínico, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Ferran Guedea
- Radiotherapy Oncology Service, Institut Català d'Oncologia (ICO), L'Hospitalt de Llobregat, Barcelona, Faculty of Medicine (Unidad Docente de Bellvitge), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Meritxell Arenas
- Radiotherapy Oncology Service, Hospital de Sant Joan, Reus, Tarragona, Faculty of Medicine, University Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
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Mireștean CC, Iancu RI, Iancu DPT. Education in Radiation Oncology-Current Challenges and Difficulties. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19073772. [PMID: 35409453 PMCID: PMC8997535 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19073772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
The evolution and development of radiotherapy in the last two decades has meant that postgraduate medical training has not kept up with this rapid progress both in terms of multidisciplinary clinical approaches and especially in terms of technological advances. Education in radiation oncology is a major priority in the context of the rapid development of radiotherapy, including advanced knowledge of radiobiology, radiation physics and clinical oncology, anatomy, tumor biology and advanced medical imaging. In this context, the lack of training in radiation oncology in the curricula of medical faculties may have detrimental consequences for the training of residents in radiotherapy but also in their choice of specialty after completing their university studies. There is a clear gap between resident physicians’ actual and required knowledge of radiotherapy, and this requires urgent remediation. In the context of technical advances in imaging-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) and new radiobiology data, a balanced approach divided equally between general oncology, clinical radiation oncology, radiation oncology technology, medical physics and radiobiology, anatomy and multimodal imaging, including mentorship could bring educational and career choice benefits for students of radiation oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camil Ciprian Mireștean
- Department of Medical Oncology and Radiotherapy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania;
- Department of Surgery, Railways Clinical Hospital, 700506 Iasi, Romania
| | - Roxana Irina Iancu
- Oral Pathology Department, “Gr. T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, St. Spiridon Emergency Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +40-232-301-603
| | - Dragoș Petru Teodor Iancu
- Department of Medical Oncology and Radiotherapy, “Gr. T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Regional Institute of Oncology, 700483 Iasi, Romania
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Manirakiza A, Rubagumya F, Fehr AE, Triedman AS, Greenberg L, Mbabazi G, Ntacyabukura B, Nyagabona S, Maniragaba T, Longombe AN, Ndoli DA, Makori K, Kiugha M, Rulisa S, Hammad N. Oncology Training in Rwanda: Challenges and Opportunities for Undergraduate Medical Students (The EDUCAN Project). JOURNAL OF CANCER EDUCATION : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR CANCER EDUCATION 2020; 35:359-365. [PMID: 30666585 DOI: 10.1007/s13187-019-1473-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
A critical shortage of trained cancer specialists is one of the major challenges in addressing the increasing cancer burden in low- and middle-income countries. Inadequate undergraduate cancer education in oncology remains a major obstacle for both task shifting to general practitioners and for training of specialists. We provide the first report of cancer education in Rwanda's undergraduate program to survey how new graduates are prepared to provide care for cancer patients. Anonymous online survey was sent January to June 2017 to medical students in their senior clinical years (years 5 and 6). Questions related to the demographics, medical curriculum, and general oncology exposure were included in the survey. Of 192 eligible students, 42% (n = 80) completed the survey and were analyzed. The majority were 25 to 29 years of age and 41% were female. Internal medicine was cited to provide the most exposure to cancer patients (50%) and cancer bedside teaching (55%). Close to a half (46%) have been taught oncology formally in addition to bedside teaching. A tenth (11%) of the participants felt comfortable in attending a cancer patient, and a fifth (21%) of the students felt comfortable while addressing multimodality treatment approach. The majority (99%) of the participants preferred having a formal oncology rotation. Of particular interest, 61% of the students are interested in pursuing an oncology career path. There is a need to modify the current oncology undergraduate curriculum to prepare future physicians for delivering cancer care in Rwanda. Raising the profile of oncology in undergraduate medical education will complement the on-going efforts to increase the country's capacity in task shifting and in training of cancer specialists.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Manirakiza
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - F Rubagumya
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - A E Fehr
- Partners In Health, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - A S Triedman
- Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Partners In Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - G Mbabazi
- College of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - B Ntacyabukura
- College of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - S Nyagabona
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - T Maniragaba
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - A N Longombe
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - D A Ndoli
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - K Makori
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - M Kiugha
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - S Rulisa
- College of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Nazik Hammad
- Department of Oncology, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada.
- Medical Oncology Residency Training Program, Cancer Center of Southeastern Ontario, Queen's University, 25 King Street West, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 5P9, Canada.
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Arenas M, Sabater S, Biete A, Lara P, Calvo F. Radiation Oncology Teaching Programmes as Part of the Undergraduate Degree in Medicine in Spanish Universities: the Need for an Update of the Contents and Structure. JOURNAL OF CANCER EDUCATION : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR CANCER EDUCATION 2018; 33:352-358. [PMID: 27595996 DOI: 10.1007/s13187-016-1106-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The relevance of radiation oncology (RO) teaching in the Faculty of Medicine Degree Plan is justified by the high number of cancer patients who will require it at some point in their evolution of radiotherapy (RT). About 40 % of the population who will suffer cancer will be cured by RT alone or other related treatment modalities. Therefore, cancer education and RT teaching needs to have an in depth impact in the undergraduate medicine programmes. This education component is highly variable, not only among countries but also within each country, in terms of content (theory and practical training), number of credits and departmental affiliation of the teachers. Our aim is to take a snapshot of the situation of the teaching of RO in undergraduate university education in Spain. We have analysed 40 Spanish universities about specific aspects related to the teaching of RT. Information was obtained by mail or telephone contact throughout 2015. We have analysed the elements involved in teaching performance. In universities with various instructional units, we have taken the average of them. Among the Universities consulted in Spain, during the period of the medical degree, the average time allocated to RT lectures is 12 h (range, 0-36), the mean time allocated to seminars is 4 h (range, 0-22), and the mean time assigned to practices is 11 h (range, 0-38). The subject is mainly taught by a radiation oncologist and 80 % of Spanish universities have at least one radiation oncologist on staff. Undergraduate radiation oncology teaching in Spain shows structural heterogeneity. The Spanish Society of Radiation Oncology (SEOR) University Forum has identified new opportunities and elaborated a proposal to improve undergraduate education in oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meritxell Arenas
- Radiation Oncology Department, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus. School of Medicine, University of Rovira i Virgili, C/ Sant Joan, s/n, Reus, Tarragona, Spain.
| | - Sebastià Sabater
- Radiation Oncology Department, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Albacete, Albacete, Spain
| | - Albert Biete
- Radiation Oncology Department, Hospital Clinic Universitari. School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pedro Lara
- Radiation Oncology Department, Dr. Negrín University Hospital. School of Medicine, University of Las Palmas, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Felipe Calvo
- Oncology Department, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón. School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Abdo SE, El-Kassas S, El-Nahas AF, Mahmoud S. Modulatory Effect of Monochromatic Blue Light on Heat Stress Response in Commercial Broilers. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2017; 2017:1351945. [PMID: 28698764 PMCID: PMC5494062 DOI: 10.1155/2017/1351945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2017] [Revised: 03/11/2017] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In a novel approach, monochromatic blue light was used to investigate its modulatory effect on heat stress biomarkers in two commercial broiler strains (Ross 308 and Cobb 500). At 21 days old, birds were divided into four groups including one group housed in white light, a second group exposed to blue light, a 3rd group exposed to white light + heat stress, and a 4th group exposed to blue light + heat stress. Heat treatment at 33°C lasted for five h for four successive days. Exposure to blue light during heat stress reduced MDA concentration and enhanced SOD and CAT enzyme activities as well as modulated their gene expression. Blue light also reduced the degenerative changes that occurred in the liver tissue as a result of heat stress. It regulated, though variably, liver HSP70, HSP90, HSF1, and HSF3 gene expression among Ross and Cobb chickens. Moreover, the Cobb strain showed better performance than Ross manifested by a significant reduction of rectal temperature in the case of H + B. Furthermore, a significant linear relationship was found between the lowered rectal temperature and the expression of all HSP genes. Generally, the performance of both strains by most assessed parameters under heat stress is improved when using blue light.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safaa E. Abdo
- Department of Animal Wealth Development, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Shaikh, Egypt
| | - Seham El-Kassas
- Department of Animal Wealth Development, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Shaikh, Egypt
| | - Abeer F. El-Nahas
- Department of Animal Husbandry and Animal Wealth Development, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Shawky Mahmoud
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Shaikh, Egypt
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