Activities Performed by ASCO-Sponsored Oncology Student Interest Groups in Latin America: Assessing Members' Preferences and Leaders' Challenges

Abstract

PURPOSE In response to the worldwide shortage of oncologists, ASCO established Oncology Student Interest Groups (OSIGs) to increase oncology exposure at medical schools. However, there is limited guidance on the activities they should undergo. The main purposes of this study were (1) to assess the preferences and perceptions of OSIG members about their group events and (2) to describe the difficulties faced by leaders to carry out OSIGs' tasks. METHODS In this multicenter, cross-sectional study, group members and leaders from five active Latin American OSIGs were invited to answer anonymous web-based surveys exploring members' attitudes toward group activities and leaders' challenges when carrying them out. Data collection was conducted from March to June 2021. RESULTS Responses from 142 medical students and four OSIGs leaders were analyzed. In total, 83% of student members considered that lectures with an oncology-related expert was very useful for increasing their overall interest in oncology. For increasing interest in cancer research, 87% deemed that participating in oncology research projects was very useful. Shadowing oncology professionals was very useful for at least 70% of members to increase their oncology knowledge and their interest in following an oncology-related career. Moreover, leaders' main challenges were having a high academic load, little response from members, lack of interesting ideas and protected time for OSIGs' events, and limited support from their school. CONCLUSION OSIGs' leaders, medical schools, and international oncology organizations should work together to design activities that increase medical students' exposure to oncology-related professionals and encourage their participation in international oncological events. These schools and organizations should actively support OSIG leaders when facing difficulties to prevent members' disengagement and groups' discontinuation.