Medical residency in oncology and related specialties in Brazil: an overview of 2022

Introduction: The medical residency is a complementary education of advanced training in a specialty with work field supervised by preceptors. Objective: To analyze the availability of Brazilian programs and vacancies for medical residency in oncology in 2022, considering resource distribution and capacity for oncology training according to regions, and correlating data from 2010 and 2003. Methods: A cross-sectional study using data provided by the Brazilian Ministry of Education concerning oncology programs. The study analyzed the installed capacity at High Complexity Oncology Centers and High Complexity Oncology Units, total population, cancer incidence, and cancer-related deaths by region. Results: A total of 562 programs and 3,558 vacancies were found, with the Southeast region accouting for 300 programs (53.48%), the South for 110 (19.61%), the Midwest for 41 (7.31%), the Northeast forh 88 (15.51%), and the North for 23 (4.09%). Of 562 programs, 201 (35.83%) were offered by High Complexity Oncology Centers and 193 (34.40%) by High Complexity Oncology Units. Philanthropic institutions offered 232 (41.28%) programs, and federal institutions offered 203 (36.12%). Conclusions: A strong correlation was demonstrated between vacancies, population, cancer incidence, and cancer-related deaths by region (Spearman test, r = 0.9) despite the uneven distribution of programs and vacancies.