Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40626057›Full record

ReviewBJR open2025

Being a radiation oncologist: times of crisis for European graduates.

Federico Gagliardi, Emma D'Ippolito, Roberta Grassi, Angelo Sangiovanni, Vittorio Salvatore Menditti, Dino Rubini, Paolo Gallo, Luca D'Ambrosio, Massimo Minerva, Viola Salvestrini and 7 more

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in BJR open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

17 authors.

Federico GagliardiDepartment of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples 80138, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0003-4736-9518
Emma D'IppolitoDepartment of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples 80138, Italy.
Roberta GrassiDepartment of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples 80138, Italy.
Angelo SangiovanniDepartment of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples 80138, Italy.
Vittorio Salvatore MendittiDepartment of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples 80138, Italy.
Dino RubiniDepartment of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples 80138, Italy.
Paolo GalloDepartment of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples 80138, Italy.
Luca D'AmbrosioDepartment of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples 80138, Italy.
Massimo MinervaSchool of Medicine, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan 20132, Italy.
Viola SalvestriniRadiation Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, University of Florence, Florence 50110, Italy.
Francesca De FeliceDepartment of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome 00161,  Italy.
Giuseppe Carlo IorioDepartment of Oncology, Radiation Oncology, University of Turin, Turin 10126, Italy.
Antonio PirasUO Radioterapia Oncologica, Villa Santa Teresa, Bagheria 90011, Italy.
Luca NicosiaAdvanced Radiation Oncology Department, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Cancer Care Center, Verona 37034, Italy.
Gian Marco PetrianniOperative Research Unit of Radiation Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Via Alvaro del Portillo, 200, Roma 00128, Italy.
Luca BoldriniRadiation Oncology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli, Rome 00168, Italy.
Valerio NardoneDepartment of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples 80138, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7347-0965

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

This study examines the shortage of radiation oncologists in Italy and Europe, analysing systemic challenges in postgraduate training and proposing solutions to enhance the appeal of radiation oncology. A review of literature from Italy and Europe evaluated trends in training programmes, workforce dynamics. Analysis included residency vacancies, economic constraints, training disparities, and visibility of the field during medical education. In Italy, 55.3% of radiation oncology residency positions have gone unfilled or been abandoned since 2016, with 90% of positions vacant in 2023. Contributing factors include inadequate exposure to radiotherapy during medical training, limited financial opportunities, negative societal perceptions, and high levels of burnout. Across Europe, similar challenges persist. Training disparities, outdated infrastructure, and regional inequalities exacerbate workforce shortages, particularly in low-income countries. Addressing the radiation oncology crisis requires a multifaceted strategy, including enhancing visibility of the field in medical education, improving working conditions, offering financial incentives, and addressing disparities in training quality across Europe. The European radiotherapist shortage is a systemic issue requiring coordinated efforts to standardize training, address economic barriers, and improve the specialty's appeal. By fostering collaboration and reform, European nations can meet the growing demand for cancer care and secure a sustainable workforce for the future.

Indexed as

European oncologyEuropean radiotherapyHealthcare policyItalian radiotherapyradiotherapyresidency training

Identifiers

PMID40626057
PMCPMC12233087

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.