Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40689948›Full record

ArticleStrahlentherapie und Onkologie : Organ der Deutschen Rontgengesellschaft ... [et al]2026

Assessing the quality of radiation oncology education in four German medical schools: a student perspective and comparison with DEGRO recommendations.

Philipp Linde, Frauke Lang, Christiane Matuschek, Marsha Schlenter, Davide Scafa, Judith Neuwahl, Matthias Mäurer, Michael Oertel, Hendrik Dapper, Emmanouil Fokas and 2 more

Abstract readComparative Study
In one paragraph

Article in Strahlentherapie und Onkologie : Organ der Deutschen Rontgengesellschaft ... [et al], 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing 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

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Shaping the future of radiation oncology education: results of a nationwide student survey from Germany.Strahlentherapie und Onkologie : Organ der Deutschen Rontgengesellschaft ... [et al] · 2026
    Article
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

12 authors.

Philipp LindeDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Cyberknife and Radiation Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany. philipp.linde@uk-koeln.de.ORCID 0000-0002-2813-1331
Frauke LangDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Cyberknife and Radiation Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany.
Christiane MatuschekMedical School and University Medical Center OWL, Klinikum Mitte, Department of Radiation Oncology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany.
Marsha SchlenterDepartment of Radiation Oncology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
Davide ScafaDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Judith NeuwahlClinic and Policlinic for Radiation Therapy and Radiooncology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
Matthias MäurerDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.
Michael OertelDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
Hendrik DapperDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Cyberknife and Radiation Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany.
Emmanouil FokasDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Cyberknife and Radiation Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany.
Marie KleinDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Cyberknife and Radiation Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany.
Christian BauesDepartment of Radiation Oncology, Marienhospital Herne, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeThe increasing importance of radiation oncology (RO) education worldwide drives a need for modernization of university curricula, particularly in anticipation of the new Licensing Regulation for Physicians (Ärztliche Approbationsordnung, ÄApprO) in Germany. This study evaluates RO education at four German medical schools and compares student perspectives with the recommendations of the academic radiation oncology consortium of the German Society of Radiation Oncology (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Radioonkologie, DEGRO) in order to highlight gaps and opportunities for curriculum improvement.

methodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among medical students from the universities in Aachen, Bonn, Cologne, and Düsseldorf (ABCD) from January to June 2022. The standardized digital questionnaire included 31 questions (Likert scale and open-ended items) assessing teaching quality, learning formats, and practical relevance. Descriptive and thematic analyses were performed.

resultsA total of 152 fully completed surveys were analyzed. Most students (76%) reported the use of clinical case examples, but only 13% had direct patient contact. Small-group teaching and hybrid learning formats were preferred. ABCD students emphasized the need for clearer learning objectives and improved differentiation of RO from related disciplines. While 50% supported increased semester hours, opinions were divided. Findings were largely consistent with DEGRO's recommendations, though discrepancies were observed in the organization of RO within medical curricula.

conclusionThis study identified key areas for improving RO education, including clearer learning objectives, more interactive and clinically relevant teaching, and increased opportunities for hands-on experience. Integrating these student-informed recommendations into future curriculum reforms may enhance training quality, promote engagement, and support interest in RO as a career.

Indexed as

CurriculumRadiation OncologySchools, MedicalStudents, MedicalAdultCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleGermanyHumansMaleSurveys and QuestionnairesCareerMedical schoolMedical studiesRadiotherapyStudents’ opinion

Identifiers

PMID40689948
PMCPMC12953364

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.