Analysis of Oncology and Radiation Therapy Representation on the National Board of Medical Examiners Official Practice Material for the United States National Standardized Medical Board Examinations.

ABSTRACT: Radiation therapy (RT) is a critical component of multidisciplinary cancer care, but has inconsistent curricular exposure. We characterize the radiation oncology (RO) content on the standardized undergraduate medical examinations by comparing its context and prevalence with other domains in oncology. National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) self-assessments and sample questions for the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Steps 1-3 and NBME clinical science shelf examinations were accessed (n = 3878). Questions were inductively analyzed for content pertaining to oncology and treatment modalities of RT, systemic therapy (ST), and surgical intervention (SI). Questions were coded using USMLE Physician Tasks/Competencies and thematic analysis. Descriptive statistics and analyses usin

SUBMITTER: Mahoney MT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11846759 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature