Modern Perspectives on Radiation Oncology Residency Expansion, Fellowship Evolution, and Employment Satisfaction

Purpose: In an effort to better characterize the extent and impact of residency expansion and job placement, the authors conducted a multilevel survey of radiation oncologists exploring the current state of the radiation oncology employment market.

Methods: A multilevel survey was conducted using the Qualtrics platform in the spring of 2017. Survey participants were categorized into five groups within radiation oncology: (1) chairpersons, (2) program directors, (3) new practitioners (at least 1 year out of residency), (4) new residency graduates (radiation oncology postgraduate year 5 graduates with new jobs), and (5) medical students. The Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test was used to compare Likert scale scores.

Results: A total of 752 participants were surveyed, with an overall response rate among all five groups of 31% and 92% of those completing the entire survey. Chairpersons were more likely to consider expanding their residency programs compared with program directors. Fellowship remained low on the job search, with less than 10% of new graduates and new practitioners interested in fellowship positions. Job satisfaction was high with 85% of new graduates, and 78% of new practitioners moderately to very satisfied with their future or current employment. The vast majority of both new practitioners (85%) and new graduates (81%) was moderately to very satisfied with their location of practice.

Conclusions: Resident job satisfaction remains high, whereas interest in radiation oncology fellowships remains low. Conflicting perception regarding the job market and residency expansion could have downstream impacts, such as deterring potential applicants.