Tips to Get Through Your Oncology Fellowship

Jill Gilbert, MD

Many of you are just beginning your training journey in hematology and oncology. Welcome!

This will be a tough year. Most fellows are incredibly busy and face emotional challenges as they navigate the path of cancer diagnosis to death with patients. As I face these scenarios myself, I try to remember what drew me to the field of oncology. Each fellow has their own list, but this list—search terms for which I extracted from ChatGPT—resonates with me and is a great opportunity to reflect:

Opportunity to Make a Significant Impact

As a hematology and oncology specialist, you have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of your patients. You will be helping them fight cancer and other blood-related diseases, which can be life threatening.

Constantly Evolving Field

Hematology and oncology are consistently changing, with new therapies being developed around the clock. As a result, you will have the opportunity to stay at the forefront of medical research and innovation.

Multidisciplinary Approach

Hematology and oncology treatment involves a multidisciplinary approach, which means that you will work closely with other health care professionals, such as surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and pathologists. This will allow you to gain a broader perspective on patient care and collaborate with other specialists to provide the best possible care for your patients.

Career Growth and Job Security

A focus in oncology means you will be working in a growing field with a high demand for specialists. This also means that there are plenty of job opportunities available and a good potential for career growth.

Personal Fulfillment

Helping patients and their families through the difficult journey of cancer and blood-related diseases can be incredibly fulfilling. Knowing that you have made a positive impact on someone’s life can be one of the most rewarding aspects of working in hematology and oncology.

However, I have also learned along the way that emotional investment is real, and if I allow myself to lose some boundaries, I experience a hemorrhage of my own emotional stories. As a result, I lose my ability to fully engage with those who need me, both at work and beyond.

Taking care of yourself is essential when treating patients with cancer. Here are some tips, also using from search terms for which I extracted from ChatGPT, that may help:

Acknowledge Your Emotions

It is normal to feel a range of emotions when dealing with dying patients, including sadness, frustration, and helplessness. Acknowledge these emotions and allow yourself to feel them. It is important not to suppress your emotions because this can lead to burnout.

Seek Support

Reach out to colleagues, friends, or family members for support. It can be helpful to discuss your feelings and experiences with someone who understands what you are going through.

Take Breaks

It is essential to take breaks when caring for patients who are dying. Schedule time for self-care activities, such as exercise, meditation, or spending time with loved ones.

Practice Self-Compassion

Be kind to yourself and practice self-compassion. Recognize that you are doing the best you can in a difficult situation.

Set Boundaries

It is important to set boundaries with your patients and their families. Although it is important to be empathetic and supportive, it is also essential to protect your own emotional well-being.

Seek Professional Help

If you are struggling to cope with the emotional toll of working with patients who are receiving end-of-life care, consider seeking professional help. A therapist or counselor can provide support and guidance to help you manage your emotions and prevent burnout.

You are embarking on an amazing phase of your career. Embrace that which is novel and take care of yourself along the way.

Jill Gilbert, MD, is a professor of medicine and the director of the Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.