The Impact of Interpersonal Skills Training on the Transition to Radiotherapy Student Clerkship

Introduction/Background: Preparing students for clerkship in a radiation oncology setting requires complex, sensitive, and specific interpersonal skills training. Oncology patients undergoing radiation therapy treatment present with unique needs given the harrow of a cancer diagnosis. Although the radiation therapy profession's credentialing body requires interpersonal skills training, there is little research specific to radiotherapy student communication training across the globe. Literature review: Searches for relevant literature were conducted and the following themes emerged: transitions to clinical training, value of interpersonal skills and value of interprofessional education. The majority of literature identified supported medical, nursing, physical therapy and physician's assistant education. Discussion: Radiotherapy students often participate in the same undergraduate coursework with various health science disciplines, with a common goal of providing optimal patient care. This diverse classroom of radiation therapy, radiologic technology, and dosimetry students mimic the interdisciplinary team in radiation oncology, preparing students for clerkship in a safe and authentic environment. Interprofessional education serves as a vehicle to enhance the transition from the classroom to the clinic while simulating the alliance of healthcare professionals required for team-based care. Conclusion: Interpersonal skills training specific to radiation therapy education is lacking and further limited to research conducted in Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. The gap in research in the United States provides many areas of opportunity.