Assessing the Training and Research Environment for Genomics, Bioinformatics, and Immunology in Radiation Oncology

Abstract

Purpose: To assess radiation oncologists' perceptions of training and research opportunities in the fields of genomics, bioinformatics, and immunology.

Materials and methods: A 13-item electronic survey was sent to 101 radiation oncology department chairs and administrators. A separate 30-item electronic survey was sent to 132 members of the American Society for Radiation Oncology Science Council as well as to 565 members of the Association of Residents in Radiation Oncology. Survey responses were collected, and results were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results: Twenty-six department chairs and 91 general respondents submitted responses. Among general respondents, 69% were current trainees and 31% had completed training. The majority of respondents (92%) were affiliated with an academic/university main campus. Approximately half of respondents (43% to 53%) reported no prior formal training in bioinformatics, genomics, or immunology. More than half of department chairs (54% to 58%) and general respondents (57% to 63%) thought that current training opportunities in these areas were absolutely or moderately insufficient. A majority of respondents (53% to 65%) thought that additional training in these areas would provide opportunity for career advancement, and 80% could identify a current or future research project that additional training in these fields would allow them to pursue. More than half of respondents expressed interest in attending a formal training course, and the majority of department chairs (22 of 26 [85%]) reported that they would probably or definitely send trainees or faculty members to a formal training course.

Conclusion: Among radiation oncologists surveyed, there is a perceived lack of current training opportunities in bioinformatics, genomics, and immunology. A majority of respondents reported an interest in obtaining additional training in these areas and believed that training would provide opportunity for career advancement.

Fig 1.

Perceived sufficiency of current training environment for bioinformatics, genomics, and immunology. (A) Department chairs (n = 25 responses). (B) General respondents (n = 73 responses).

Fig 2.

Perceived potential for career advancement and research opportunities with additional training. (A) Career advancement (n = 74 responses). (B) Specific research projects (n = 73 responses).

Fig 3.

Assessing interest in a formal training course in bioinformatics, genomics, and immunology. (A) General respondents (n = 76 responses). (B) Department chairs (n = 25 responses).

Fig 4.

Interest in additional training on the basis of extent of prior training. The percentage of respondents who were definitely or probably interested in taking formal training courses in bioinformatics, genomics, or immunology are shown. Responses are grouped by the type of previous training: no previous training, previous training in the specific area, or previous training in any of the areas (bioinformatics, genomics, or immunology).

Fig A1.

Previous training in bioinformatics, genomics, and immunology (n = 74 responses). (A) Formal training in bioinformatics (BINF) by career stage. (B) Formal training in genomics (GENOM) by career stage. (C) Formal training in immunology (IMMUNO) by career stage.

Fig A2.

Percentage of respondents who believe that current training opportunities in bioinformatics, genomics, and immunology are absolutely or moderately insufficient.

Fig A3.

Respondents’ views on whether there are fewer training opportunities in bioinformatics, genomics, and immunology within radiation oncology than within other oncology specialties.