Role of medical students in a pediatric oncology precision medicine clinic.

Abstract

Precision Medicine (PM) is revolutionizing patient care by integrating biomedical data, lifestyle factors, and environmental influences to guide treatment plans, particularly in the field of oncology. With its growing utility, there is a pressing need to ensure that recent medical graduates are competent in this field. This study examines the impact that involvement in a Precision Medicine Clinic (PMC) has on medical students' education and career plans. Surveys were distributed to medical students who presented at PMC meetings with the goal of assessing comfort, confidence, and perceived benefit of involvement, along with qualitative feedback. Results indicated increased comfort and confidence in PM and in the interpretation of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) following involvement in PMC and a positive influence on future career plans. Qualitative responses highlighted enhanced critical thinking skills and career exploration. These findings underscore the significance of integrating hands-on PM experiences into medical education to effectively prepare future healthcare professionals for the medical landscape in which they will be working. Limitations include potential biases from retrospective survey responses, revealing an opportunity for future prospective surveys. This study offers a valuable framework for institutions seeking to incorporate PM into medical education curricula.