Mind the Gap: An Analysis of "Gap Year" Prevalence, Productivity, and Perspectives Among Radiation Oncology Residency Applicants.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Medical students may take a year off during medical school (a "gap year") to strengthen their applications for competitive specialties such as radiation oncology. This can incur significant financial and opportunity costs. We sought to understand the prevalence, nature, and funding of gap years undertaken by radiation oncology applicants.

Methods and materials

An anonymous survey was emailed to all applicants to a single radiation oncology program from 2015 to 2017. Survey questions assessed gap year utilization, funding, motivations, and perceptions. Separately, all 2017 Electronic Residency Application Service (n = 176) applications to this program were reviewed for reference.

Results

The 2017 cohort had a response rate of 69% (n = 121), with an overall resp

SUBMITTER: Sidiqi B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7525797 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature