| Radiation oncology job market is poor |
| Delay in gaining employment after graduation |
“It is virtually unheard of for residents to be offered [full time] positions…[immediately] after residency…fellowships are basically required in Canada, ultimately multi-year fellowships for no other reason than killing time until jobs become available” (participant 9) |
| Residents recall being discouraged from applying to radiation oncology |
“At least two [recent graduates] were saying, don’t do rad onc, do med onc, or do anything else!” (participant 20) |
| Medical students should be made aware of job market challenges |
“I do bring [the job market] up with all of them so they know. I say [radiation oncology] is a great specialty and I love everything about it…but the job situation is bad and I’m not sure it will get better. They should think about whether or not they will be ok with not having a job and working as a fellow” (participant 19) |
| Residents are worried about the job market |
| Job market is a constant source of concern |
“it’s a huge topic of conversation…it permeates everything in your life…in your work…your family and friends” (participant 3) |
| “It worries me every day…I think about it all the time” (participant 19) |
| Job market is a stressor on personal relationships |
“it's been central to discussion with my wife and…family members [weekly]” (participant 13) |
| Uncertainty of timing and location of future employment was the biggest stressor |
“Uncertainty…that’s the big thing. Not knowing where you’re going to be in one, two, three years.” (participant 9) |
| “It makes planning things like having children, buying a home…all of those things get put on hold because the job market could make [them] vanish” (participant 12) |
| Poor job market impacts satisfaction with training program |
| Residents second-guess their decision to enter radiation oncology |
“There are many days that I’m down on the job situation and…second-guess my decision to go into radiation oncology” (participant 13) |
| Program morale is poor |
“it’s a topic of despair and frustration and discouragement. They have spent so long training and they can’t find a [job]” (participant 7) |
| “Some people are feeling pretty dejected,” (participant 12) |
| Learning and collegial relationships are impacted |
“I think overall the morale is pretty poor…everyone is so concerned about [the job market] that everyone misses out on good aspects of the residency…not focusing on the learning” (participant 17) |
| “We could be a lot more collaborative…the competitiveness limits that” (participant 12) |
| “People seem less willing to work together” (participant 10) |
