Background:Cancer is the biggest killer. (1). In practice, 30-40% are cancer-related, yet cancer education is lagging behind (2). Cancer clinics are a huge repository for clinical signs. Clinical signs are not in abundance in other medical specialties (3). Every doctor should be competent in detecting and diagnosing through clinical signs. . Use of “oncology patients” for training doctors must be a priority
Aim: Evaluation of clinical education of undergraduate students in Oncology Practice
Methods: Princess Margaret Hospital in Roseau conducts three weekly oncology clinics and in patient wards rounds. 3rd, 4th and 5th semester students are assigned to “shadow” the attending. In the last five years, from May 2008 till September 2013, 391 students rotated through the oncology clinic. 307 were assigned and 84 volunteered. The clinics lasts between 9 am and 3pm. Students are exposed to multiple clinical situations and relevant tasks. Differential diagnosis, lab findings, imaging and histopathology are discussed. A blinded evaluation questionnaire is given randomly.
Results: 57 “responses” were analyzed. 90% very positive, excellent learning experience, 80% will return and felt duration and physical facility needed upgrading.
Conclusions: A new oncology clinic with expanded clinical, teaching and research facility opened recently in collaboration with Ross and MOH has started functioning. The clinical educators must seize this opportunities.