Medical Student Engagement in Radiation Oncology: Insights From a Residency Program Survey

Purpose: Medical student engagement (MSE) is critical to addressing the radiation oncology (RO) literacy gap among future physicians and may contribute to workforce stabilization amid fewer residency applicants compared to historic numbers.Currently, there is no standardized approach to MSE within RO.This study sought to characterize current MSE practices among U.S. RO residency programs, identify opportunities for collaboration, and inform development of best practices to strengthen MSE and interest in the specialty.Methods and materials: An investigator-developed survey assessing MSE practices was distributed electronically to U.S. RO residency programs through the Association of Directors of Radiation Oncology Programs (ADROP) newsletter in March and April 2026.Survey domains included program characteristics, organizational commitment to MSE, outreach and recruitment activities, mentorship infrastructure, research accessibility, perceived effectiveness of engagement initiatives, and future needs for centralized support.Responses were analyzed descriptively using frequencies and percentages.Results: Thirty-four of 86 U.S. RO residency programs responded (38.6%), with 31 surveys completed in full; the number of responses per question therefore varied.Nearly all programs (94.1%, n=32/34) reported conducting MSE activities, and 87.1% (n=27/31) believed MSE should be a formal strategic priority.Common engagement activities included clinical rotations (91.2%, n=31/34), research opportunities (91.2%, n=31/34), shadowing experiences (88.2%, n=30/34), program-led lectures (52.9%, n=18/34), and preclinical observerships (50.0%, n=17).Only 20.6% (n=7/34) of programs reported RO education as a required component of their affiliated medical school curriculum.Formal mentorship programs were reported by 41.9% (n=13/31) of programs, while 58.1% (n=18/31) relied on informal mentorship.Research mentorship was the most common mentorship activity (85.3%, n=29/34).Most respondents reported satisfaction with their MSE efforts (74.2%, n=23/31, satisfied or very satisfied).Frequently reported benefits included increased medical student rotators, improved student knowledge of RO, increased residency applicants, improved match outcomes, and enhanced applicant diversity.Most respondents (96.8%, n=30/31) indicated that centralized support resources would be useful or potentially useful.Conclusions: RO residency programs demonstrate strong commitment to MSE through diverse educational, mentorship, and recruitment initiatives.However, substantial variability exists across programs.Greater program collaboration and centralized resources may enhance MSE efforts, improve student knowledge and awareness of RO, and strengthen future recruitment into the specialty.