Abstract 736P
Background
Goals, motivations, and difficulties of young oncology residents regarding their career and research have been previously reported. However, the evolution over time has not been assessed. Understanding these shifts is crucial for the sustainability of the global healthcare workforce in oncology.
Methods
A French national survey included 45 questions divided into sections describing the commitment and expectations regarding their training and career objectives. This survey was conducted among four promotions of oncology residents (from 2020 to 2023) in their first year of training and multiple times during residency.
Results
Most French oncology residents (n=377, 81%) answered the survey during their first year of training. Young oncology residents were increasingly less interested in research (79.4% in 2020 versus 63.3% in 2023, p < 0.05), with less motivation to pursue a MSc (32.3% in 2020 versus 17.4% in 2023, p < 0.05) and a PhD (17.6% in 2020 versus 7.3% in 2023, p < 0.05). Paradoxically, the access to a protected half-day to conduct research increased (22.6% in 2023 vs 37.4% in 2023, p<0.05). Besides, fewer residents were members of a scientific society (43.5% in 2020 versus 25.2% in 2023, p < 0.05). Fifty-four residents answered to the survey at least twice during their residency. Motivation to pursue a MSc or a PhD decreased during residency, among the same residents (-22.2% and -30%, respectively, p < 0.01).
Conclusions
Our longitudinal survey shows that there is a significant decrease in interest in pursuing an academic career among young oncology residents in their first year of training, and motivation continues to decline during residency. These results are alarming and prompt us to consider which initiatives can be implemented to ensure the academic future of the discipline and support the global healthcare workforce in oncology.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.