Targeted Needs Assessment of Treatment Planning Education for United States Radiation Oncology Residents

Abstract

Purpose: Prior surveys suggest almost one-third of chief residents report insufficient exposure to treatment planning. We evaluated the state of treatment planning education among United States residents.

Methods and materials: A web-based survey was sent to current residents identified using the Association of Residents in Radiation Oncology directory.

Results: The response rate was 33%. Twenty-six percent of residents reported a mandatory treatment planning rotation. Seventy-one percent of residents reported reviewing ≤50% of plans with an attending. Twenty-three percent of respondents were not at all or only slightly comfortable (1 or 2 on a 1-5 scale) evaluating treatment plans. Residents with mandatory treatment planning rotations were more comfortable evaluating plans compared with those without mandatory rotations (P = .045). Overall, 60% reported insufficient exposure to treatment planning. Among postgraduate year 5 residents, this rate was 52%. Ninety-two percent of residents expressed interest in free supplemental treatment planning resources.

Conclusions: A significant proportion of residents surveyed report insufficient exposure to treatment planning. Development of a practical treatment planning curriculum would offer the opportunity to improve resident education, and ultimately quality of care, at the national level.