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Teaching sexual and gender minority (SGM) health in undergraduate medical education has become a priority. We have authored and evaluated an infographic to introduce first-year students to SGM health, identity, and clinical communication skills. A realist and constructivist qualitative design employed audio-recorded and transcribed student focus groups. Using generic content analysis, transcripts were coded and a thematic framework created. Three themes were identified: content (concepts, chunking topics, future clinical reference, application to practice), presentation (graphics, accessibility, learning tool), and reflection. We anticipate our infographic can be repurposed to support learning among other health disciplines, administrative professionals, and the broader public, including high schools and university education.

Background: Family physicians have low knowledge and preparedness to manage patients with cancer. A breast oncology clinical rotation was developed for family medicine residents to address this gap in medical education. Objectives and Methods: A breast oncology rotation for family residents was evaluated using a pre-post knowledge questionnaire and semi-structured interviews comparing rotation (RRs) versus non-rotation (NRRs) residents. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected via a pre-post knowledge questionnaire and semi-structured interviews, respectively. Analysis: Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and paired t-tests to compare pre-post-rotation knowledge and preparedness. Qualitative data were coded inductively, analysed, and grouped into categories and themes. Data sets were integrated. Results: The study was terminated early due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Six RRs completed the study; 19 and 2 NRRs completed the quantitative and qualitative portions, respectively. RRs' knowledge scores did not improve, but there was a non-significant increase in preparedness (5.3 to 8.4, p = 0.17) post-rotation. RRs described important rotation outcomes: knowledge of the patient work-up, referral process, and patient treatment trajectory; skills in risk assessment, clinical examination, and empathy, and comfort in counseling. Discussion and Conclusion: Important educational outcomes were obtained despite no change in knowledge scores. This rotation can be adapted to other training programs including an oncology primer to enable trainee integration of new information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In March 2020, cities across Canada locked down in an effort to control the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The containment measures forced many disruptive societal changes, with the virtual delivery of medical education being one example. Many of the resulting educational changes will persist for the foreseeable future. As students at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, we have observed first-hand the transition to a virtual curriculum. Preclerkship medical students have been unable to participate in clinical observerships as part of early career exploration throughout the duration of the pandemic. These clinical experiences offer more than just opportunities to narrow career options, they also serve as a critical part of our development as future physicians. Given the continued need to preserve personal protective equipment and comply with physical distancing guidelines, we believe innovative solutions are needed to restore this critical component of our medical education. Our student-led research group has described a novel use of a point-of-view livestreaming technology that allows physicians to demonstrate physical exams while teaching clinical skills to medical students as one possible solution. As the pandemic continues to threaten global health, a clear need exists to identify and implement creative innovations to prepare future physicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To evaluate ( 1 ) the quantity and quality of current undergraduate oncology teaching at a major Canadian medical school; and ( 2 ) curricular changes over the past decade, to enhance local oncology education and provide insight for other educators. Methods and Materials Relevant 2011-2012 undergraduate curricular sessions were extracted from the University of Toronto curriculum mapping database using keywords and database identifiers. Educational sessions were analyzed according to Medical Council of Canada objectives, discussion topics, instructor qualifications, teaching format, program year, and course subject. Course-related oncology research projects performed by students during 2000 to 2012 were extracted from another internal database. Elective choices of clerks during 2008-2014 were retrieved from the institution. The 2011-2012 and 2000-2001 curricula were compared using common criteria. Results The 2011-2012 curriculum covers 5 major themes (public health, cancer biology, diagnosis, principles of care, and therapy), which highlight 286 oncology teaching topics within 80 sessions. Genitourinary (10, 12.5%), gynecologic (8, 10.0%), and gastrointestinal cancers (7.9, 9.8%) were the most commonly taught cancers. A minority of sessions were taught by surgical oncologists (6.5, 8.1%), medical oncologists (2.5, 3.1%), and radiation oncologists (1, 1.2%). During 2000-2012, 9.0% of students (233 of 2578) opted to complete an oncology research project. During 2008-2014, oncology electives constituted 2.2% of all clerkship elective choices (209 of 9596). Compared with pre-2001 curricula, the 2012 oncology curriculum shows notable expansion in the coverage of epidemiology (6:1 increase), prevention (4:1), screening (3:1), and molecular biology (6:1). Conclusions The scope of the oncology curriculum has grown over the past decade. Nevertheless, further work is needed to improve medical student knowledge of cancers, particularly those relevant to public health needs. Defining minimum curricular content, emphasizing content based on population needs, and ensuring educational delivery with the support and expertise of oncologists and non-oncologists will be essential next steps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]