Oncology education in Canadian undergraduate and postgraduate training programs.

Background: We evaluated the quality of oncology education in undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) training programs.

Methods: We surveyed UG schools in medicine, nursing, and pharmacy as well as PG residencies in family and internal medicine to assess the programs' oncology content.

Results: Among 58 UG and 26 PG programs nationwide, response rates were 58.6% and 69.2%, respectively. Cancer constituted <10% of the curriculum and <10% of the final examination in 70.6% and 58.8% of UG schools. For PG programs, most devoted more time to teaching other specialties: cardiology (89%), respirology (67%), nephrology (67%), and gastroenterology (61%).

Conclusions: Oncology is underrepresented in current curriculums.