Adapting to the Virtual World: An Analysis of Remote Work Policies in Academic Radiation Oncology

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a shift from traditional work environments to working from home (WFH). The specific benefits and challenges of WFH in radiation oncology are currently unknown. To address this gap in knowledge, a survey-based study was conducted to assess WFH policies and perceptions of their impact, as well as explore the role of departmental gender composition in remote work policies.

Upon completing this activity:

1. Clinicians will be able to clarify the role that WFH has on physician well-being, burnout, and gender disparities within radiation oncology.

2. Clinicians will understand how to leverage WFH to maximize physician wellness and patient care.

3. Radiation oncology department leaders will be empowered to establish WFH policies that are both thorough and equitable.

Sara Beltran Ponce, MD¹*; Amy LoTemplio²*; Erin Kaya, MD³; Katie Lichter, MD⁴; Shradda M. Dalwadi, MD⁵; Sumi Sinha, MD⁴; Lois Wairiri, MD⁶; William Stadtlander⁷; Mary McGunigal, MD⁸; Reshma Jagsi, MD, DPhil⁹; Virginia W. Osborn, MD¹⁰; Elizabeth Jeans, MD¹¹; Gabrielle W. Peters, MD¹²; Jenna M. Kahn, MD¹³

*Co-first authors

Affiliations: ¹Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI; ²State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY; ³Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR; ⁴University of California San Francisco; ⁵MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; ⁶University of Washington, Seattle; ⁷Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center and Foundation, Newburgh, OR; ⁸Veteran Affairs New York Harbor Healthcare System, State University of New York–Downstate Medical Center, New York, NY; ⁹Emory University, Atlanta, GA; ¹⁰Massachusetts General Hospital, Exeter, NH; ¹¹Arizona Center for Cancer Care, Scottsdale, AZ; ¹²Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; ¹³Kaiser Permanente, Portland, OR.

• Radiation oncologists

• Related oncology professionals

None.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Institute for Advanced Medical Education (IAME) and Anderson Publishing. IAME is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. IAME designates this activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit^™ . Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

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The authors disclose no relationships with ineligible companies.

IAME has assessed conflicts of interest with its faculty, authors, editors, and any individuals who were in a position to control the content of this CME activity. Any relevant financial relationships were mitigated with an independent peer review of this activity, and no conflicts or commercial bias were detected. IAME’s planners, content reviewers, and editorial staff disclose no relationships with ineligible entities.