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Journal of Cancer Education, 23:63–64, 2008Copyright © AACE and EACEISSN: 0885-8195 print / 1543-0154 onlineDOI: 10.1080/08858190701641321

HJCE

A Medical Student-Staffed Outpatient Oncology Clinic: A 10-Year Brazilian Experience

A Medical Student-Staffed Outpatient Oncology ClinicMILENE N. ABRÃO, CAROLINA G. BENSI, MARINA S. GONÇALVES, JULIANA L. NARAHARA, FABIANA C. OTSUKA, RODRIGO P. RANZATTI,

DAMILA C. TRUFELLI, RAFAEL A. KALIKS, HÉLIO PINCZOWSKI, PAULA P. LAJOLO, AURO DEL GIGLIO, MD, FACP

Abstract—Background. This is an update of a 10-years student-staffed oncology clinic. Methods.Students are divided into 4 teams; each sees 1 to 2 outpatients weekly. Results. By April 2006, 95medical students participated, 89% for 2 or more years; 70% reported activity contributed to abil-ity to read medical papers, and 59% improved their scientific writing. Of 39 students currentlyinvolved, 33 (84%) improved clinical skills in taking history, 27 (69%) in physical examination,and 34 (87%) in physician-patient relation. A total of 21 (56%) reported increased knowledge ingeneral internal medicine. Although only 11% of former students pursued a specialty in MedicalOncology, 77% rated this clinic as the best extracurricular activity. Conclusions. Attendance ofoutpatient clinic in medical oncology can contribute significantly to the general medical educa-tion. J Cancer Educ. 2008; 23:63-64.

recent review on medical education describes vari-ous experiences from around the world,1 where bydifferent methods, the concept of earlier and closer

contact with patients seems to enhance the interest and thelearning experience among medical students. Since we firstpublished our data with a medical student-staffed outpa-tient oncology clinic in this journal 7 years ago,2 we haveupdated our data collected during the 10 years of continuousactivity of this clinic.

This extracurricular activity happens on a weekly basisat lunch time and is completely voluntary. New studentsare admitted annually after an introductory course of med-ical oncology, which is followed by a test through whichabout 10 to 12 students are selected. This year we hadabout 8 times as many candidates as positions to fill. Stu-dents are then divided into 4 teams, and each group sees 1to 2 outpatients weekly. These patients are assigned to thesame team on every visit to ensure continuity of care. Stu-dents are always supervised by 1 or more attendings whosee patients together. In addition, students may also

engage in clinical research projects that are specificallydesigned by them with orientation of 1 of the attendings.Some of the resulting papers have already published inpeer reviewed journals.3-9

By April 2006, 95 medical students have participated inthis activity, 89% of them for 2 or more years. Of thestudents, 70% reported that this activity contributed signif-icantly to their ability to read and understand medicalpapers, whereas and 59% reported that they improved theirscientific writing. Of the 39 students currently involved inthis activity, 33 (84%) reported that they improved theirclinical skills in taking medical history, 27 (69%) in physi-cal examination, and 34 (87%) in their physician-patientrelations. Of the current students, 21 (56%) also reportedthat they increased their knowledge in general internalmedicine. Even though only 11% of all former students pur-sued a specialty in Hematology and/or Medical Oncology,77% of them rated this outpatient clinic as the best extra-curricular activity that they engaged while in medicalschool.

We believe that attendance of an outpatient clinic inmedical oncology can contribute significantly to the gen-eral medical education of students regardless of the subspe-cialty they may elect to pursue in the future. Therefore,medical schools should strongly consider including thistype of experience in their curriculum.

Received from the Division of Oncology and Hematology, ABC Foun-dation School of Medicine, Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Auro del Giglio, MD,FACP, Rua Mariana Correia 369, São Paulo, Brazil, 01444-000; Phone/Fax: 55-11-38195007. e-mail: <sandrabr@netpoint.com.br>.

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64 ABRÃO et al. ■ A Medical Student-Staffed Outpatient Oncology Clinic

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