Satisfaction of General Versus Specialized Continuity Clinic in Hematology Oncology Fellowship Training: A Survey

BACKGROUND: At the University of Florida (UF), hematology-oncology (HO) fellows participate in 2 general types of continuity clinic as part of their fellowship training. One clinic, at the Veterans Hospital (VA), allows fellows to care for patients with a variety of hematology oncology diagnoses in a general clinic setting. The other clinic, located at the university site, is disease or system specific (such as breast or GI clinic). Considerable research supports the value of continuity clinic in residency and fellowship training, but the differences in having a general versus specialized clinic for HO fellows have not been explored. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceived differences of general versus specialized continuity clinics by recent HO graduates from UF. Specifically, we were interested in learning which features of a continuity clinic they felt were most impactful for their current clinical practice. METHODS: An anonymous survey was sent to the last 6 graduating classes of HO fellows at UF, between years of 2013 and 2018. The survey contained short demographic questions, followed by 5 open ended questions pertaining to the differing continuity clinic experiences. Graduates were asked about their opinions of both the general and specialized clinics during their training at UF. Survey responses were reviewed and coded for common themes by the authors. RESULTS: Of 28 graduating fellows surveyed, 13 responded to the survey (response rate 46%). In thematic review of survey responses, the most common themes that emerged concerned autonomy, level of supervision, and the diversity of the patient population. A majority of respondents felt they had more autonomy and personal responsibility at the VA general clinic, but less direct supervision than at the specialized clinics. They also believed they got a broader exposure to different disease types at the VA general clinic. Surveyed participants also commented on the quality of educational seminars and activities, preceptor expertise and teaching, and ability to observe cutting edge practice and clinical trials. CONCLUSIONS: Graduated oncology fellows from UF believe that there is a balance that exists between having autonomy and ownership of their patients versus having adequate supervision. Many believe that having “controlled autonomy” and “as much independence as is safe for patients” is key to a meaningful continuity clinic experience during oncology fellowship training.