Medical students’ interest and exposure to oncology in Nigeria: Implications for workforce development.

Abstract

e21036 Background: Oncology workforce shortages pose a significant challenge to cancer care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In Nigeria, a country with one of the highest cancer burdens in Africa, ensuring a pipeline of well-trained oncology professionals is crucial. However, little is known about medical students’ interest in oncology and their exposure to oncology-related disciplines during training. This study evaluates Nigerian medical students’ interest in pursuing oncology careers and their exposure to clinical oncology education. Objectives: 1) To assess the level of interest among medical students in pursuing oncology as a career; 2) To evaluate medical students’ exposure to various oncology disciplines in their medical curriculum; 3) To identify potential barriers to oncology career interest and education. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 493 medical students across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Participants completed a structured questionnaire assessing their interest in pursuing oncology, preferred subspecialties, and exposure to oncology lectures and clinical postings. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the frequency and percentage distributions, and mean ± standard deviation was used to compare the duration of clinical rotations across oncology disciplines. Results: Among the 493 respondents, 138 (28.0%) expressed interest in oncology, 114 (23.1%) were unsure, and 241 (48.9%) were uninterested. The most preferred oncology subspecialties among interested students were surgical oncology (23.2%), radiation/clinical oncology (21.7%), hemato-oncology (14.5%), and pediatric oncology (14.5%). Only 4 (2.9%) students identified oncology research as a preferred career path. Regarding exposure, 315 (63.9%) reported having had lectures in radiation/clinical oncology, while 141 (28.6%) had no exposure. The average duration of clinical rotations was 2.6 ± 1.71 weeks in radiation/clinical oncology, compared to 4.19 ± 3.5 weeks in gynecologic oncology and 3.18 ± 2.6 weeks in pediatric oncology. Conclusions: Despite a significant cancer burden, interest in oncology careers among Nigerian medical students remains low, with limited exposure to radiation and clinical oncology. Strengthening oncology education in medical curricula, incorporating mentorship programs, and expanding clinical training opportunities may enhance workforce capacity and ensure sustainable cancer care in Nigeria.