Following implementation of a student selected module in adolescent and young adult cancer care for medical students, we sought to explore their experiences of the specialty.
Methods:
We undertook a focus group of five medical students all in their fourth to sixth year of study. Transcripts were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically.
Results:
We identified six key themes repeatedly elicited during the focus group; these were specialized and holistic care, patient's perspective, connectedness and professional boundaries, triadic communication, emotional impacts, and professional development and support.
Conclusion:
Early exposure to this specialty is positive for students and the model could be replicated elsewhere.
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