Navigating the Path: Cancer Educators Seek Clearer Career Routes
The Role of Cancer Educators
Cancer educators play a big role in training the next generation of healthcare workers. However, at big research-focused cancer centers, these educators often feel lost when it comes to career growth.
Survey Reveals Key Issues
A recent survey, conducted in early 2023, shed light on this issue. The survey included responses from 208 faculty members:
- 142 were clinical faculty
- 103 identified as cancer educators or were unsure about their role
Nearly half of these educators felt there was no clear path for advancement. This lack of clarity can impact their motivation and job satisfaction.
Recognition and Promotion Imbalance
Most respondents agreed that educational efforts are not given the same weight as research when it comes to recognition and promotions. This imbalance can make educators feel undervalued and overlooked.
Interestingly, a majority believed that having a specific career path for educators would help address this issue.
What Educators Want
The survey also highlighted what educators think would make a difference:
- Clear promotion criteria
- Protected time for educational activities
- Better tools to track and measure their educational contributions
These changes could make a big impact on how educators are valued and recognized.
The Need for Institutional Support
The findings suggest that institutions need to do more to support and recognize the important work of cancer educators. By creating clearer paths for advancement and providing the necessary resources, these centers can help ensure that educators feel valued and motivated.
