State of the genitourinary medical oncology workforce in the United States, 2024.

Abstract

446 Background: There are approximately 13,400 oncologists engaged in patient care in the US as of 2022. As the field of medical oncology becomes subspecialized in not only academic but in community settings, it remains unclear unknown how many practicing oncologists identify as genitourinary medical oncologists. Methods: Using lists for the top fifty hospitals per state as ranked by US News & World Report, we identified practicing medical oncologists. We then identified those with a primary (100%) or predominant (50% or greater) areas of clinical focus in genitourinary oncology. We collected data on gender, race/ethnicity, and medical education. Results: We identified a total of total of 451 genitourinary medical oncologists in the United States. Of these, 399 (88.5%) practice in academic settings while 52 (11.5%) practice in community-based hospitals. 327 (72.5%) genitourinary medical oncologists are male, while 124 (27.5%) are female. 17 GU oncologists (3.8%) are from underrepresented minority groups in medicine. 321 oncologists (71.2%) were trained at US medical schools. 76 (16.9%) identified a particular organ (prostate, bladder, kidney, or testicle) as a clinical or research area of focus. The Northeast US had the most GU oncologists (n=150), followed by the South (n=129), West (n=97), and Midwest (n=75). Seven US states have no genitourinary medical oncologist. Conclusions: Medical oncologists with a primary or predominant focus in genitourinary cancers make up 3.4% of the medical oncology workforce in the US. Seven (14%) of US states do not have a self-identified genitourinary medical oncology expert. Gender and racial/ethnic disparities are present among the genitourinary medical oncology workforce. State of the workforce among genitourinary medical oncologists in the US. Number Male Female Underrepresented Minorities Focus Academic 399 285 114 15 Prostate (39), bladder (14), renal (18), testicular (2) Community 52 42 10 2 Renal (1), Prostate (2) Total 451 327 124 17