Radiation Oncology: Frequently Asked Questions
What is Radiation Oncology?
Radiation Oncology is the medical specialty in which physicians are trained to use radiation therapy in the treatment of diseases. Physicians, who are trained in this specialty, are called radiation oncologists.
Source: www.cpmc.org
What is a Department of Radiation Oncology?
A Department of Radiation Oncology consists of radiation oncologists and staff members who are specially trained in the delivery of radiation treatment, including medical physicists, medical dosimetrists, and therapists. Other staff members who help care for patients undergoing radiation treatments include nurses, dietitians, social workers, and counselors. These staff provide specific assistance to patients, as needed, to help them successfully complete the course of treatment. ...
Source: www.cpmc.org
Who is on the Radiation Oncology Team?
Our team is headed by a pediatric radiation oncologist. This doctor is board certified in radiation therapy, with special expertise in treating children. Also involved in planning treatments for your child is the radiation physicist, a scientist who is board certified in medical physics, with a specialty in radiation oncology physics. ...
Source: www.childrenshospitalla.org
Our team is headed by a pediatric radiation oncologist. This doctor is board-certified in radiation therapy, with special expertise in treating children. Also involved in planning treatments for your child is the radiation physicist, a scientist who is board certified in medical physics, with a specialty in radiation oncology physics. ...
Source: www.childrenshospitalla.org
Who are the members of the radiation oncology team?
The radiation oncology team is made up of radiation oncologists, radiation oncology nurses, medical physicists, dosimetrists, radiation therapists and social workers. All states require continuing medical education for these professionals, and many states have programs to inspect the radiation therapy equipment.
Source: www.sgcancer.com
Is applying to radiation oncology competitive?
Though there is no absolute cutoff as to scores needed to apply in the field, most programs look favorably at above average board scores, research both in the field and outside the field, class rank, and recommendation letters from radiation oncologists.
Source: www.arro.org
What is the role of medical dosimetrists in a Radiation Oncology Department?
Medical dosimetrists do the calculations and computations that are needed to deliver the complex, precise, and accurate radiation treatments needed to achieve the best results with a minimum of side effects for the patient.
Source: www.cpmc.org
What is the role of medical physicists in the Radiation Oncology Department?
Medical physicists assure the safe and accurate delivery of radiation treatments. They maintain and calibrate treatment equipment and participate in the implementation of new treatment techniques and methods, including radiation treatments which may be given in other areas of the hospital, such as patient rooms, operating rooms, and the cardiac catheterization laboratories.
Source: www.cpmc.org
What is the competence of the treatment staff in the Department of Radiation Oncology?
All treatment planning and implementation procedures are performed and/or supervised by staff that are credentialed and/or licensed by national and/or state certifying organizations. Periodic inspections take place by groups that are independent of the Department and the hospital to assure that these certificates and licenses are kept current.
Source: www.cpmc.org
What is the role of radiation therapists in a Radiation Oncology Department?
Radiation therapists document and deliver accurate, precise daily radiation treatments, implementing the treatment plan for each individual patient. They assess the patient at each treatment and refer the patient to a nurse or the radiation oncologist for further assessments, if needed. Also, they assist patients with daily treatment schedules, if needed.
Source: www.cpmc.org
What is a typical week like in radiation oncology?
A resident's day varies from day to day. As a resident you will typically see consults, follow-ups, and simulate patients for treatment planning. In addition, you will also approve port films to ensure patients are treated in the right position. Also a portion of your time will include treatment planning where you will outline tumor volumes and normal structures and set up the fields, which your patient will be treated on.
Source: www.arro.org
What happens to me if I come to the Department of Radiation Oncology to be considered for treatment?
Patients who come to the Department of Radiation Oncology to be considered for treatment first have a consultation with a radiation oncologist. A radiation oncologist is a physician who is trained in the use of radiation therapy in the treatment of patients' diseases. During the consultation, the radiation oncologist will take the patient's medical history, examine the patient physically, and discuss the possible role of radiation treatment in the patient's case. ...
Source: www.cpmc.org
Can TELESYNERGY® be used for anything other than Radiation Oncology?
Since there is no fine line between Radiation Oncology and Medical Oncology in the treatment of cancer, with many patients receiving multi-modality therapies, the system is also available for Medical Oncology use as long as it supports the areas described above and is approved by the PI for use.
Source: www3.cancer.gov
While TELESYNERGY® was originally designed for Radiation Oncology and is currently primarily used for cancer research, it can be used for research, patient care, or education in a wide variety of medical fields.
Source: telesynergy.nih.gov
How do I advertise in the Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology?
Please contact the publishers, Wiley-Blackwell regarding advertising. Advertising and Subscription Information: WILEY-BLACKWELL John Wiley & Sons 165 Cremorne Street Richmond Vic. 3121, Australia TEL +61 (0)3 9274 3100 FAX +61 (0)3
Source: www.ranzcr.edu.au
How do I subscribe to Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology?
Information relating to advertising and subscriptions is available from Wiley-Blackwell: Advertising and Subscription Information: WILEY-BLACKWELL John Wiley & Sons 165 Cremorne Street Richmond Vic. 3121, Australia TEL +61 (0)3 9274 3100 FAX +61 (0)3
Source: www.ranzcr.edu.au
How do I submit an article to the Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology?
Manuscripts are now submitted online through Manuscript Central. Please click here to be submit a manuscript.
Source: www.ranzcr.edu.au
What is the minimum requirement for clinical radiation oncology experience and how should fulfillment of this be demonstrated?
Residents must have a minimum of 36 months of clinical radiation oncology experience during the four years of their residency. The 36 months does not include rotations outside radiation oncology (to medical oncology, pathology etc.), nor does it include time spent outside the clinic in, for example, physics rotations. Normal vacation time does not need to be deducted from the 36 months, but unusually long periods of leave cannot be included in the 36 months. ...
Source: www.acgme.org
What are the values of both initial certification and maintenance of certification (MOC) in radiation oncology?
Both initial certification and MOC:
demonstrate to the public, your peers, and colleagues that you have documented a knowledge base in the science and art of radiation oncology appropriate to the practice of the specialty
indicate a degree of professionalism appropriate to the practice of medicine
are integral parts of the quality movement in health care;
are valued by patients and physician colleagues;
are essentially self-regulation by the profession to improve quality of care, and can be both synergistic with and lea... ...
Source: www.theabr.org
What happens during my first radiation oncology visit?
The radiation oncologist will review your pathology report, all other diagnostic test findings, perform a physical examination and offer treatment recommendations.
Source: www.mtsinai.on.ca
What academic-related social events are there for residents? What social events are sponsored by the Department of Radiation Oncology?
Please see our Resident Life – Departmental Social Events page for more information.
Source: www.urmc.rochester.edu
Can I send an insert to Radiology or Radiation Oncology members only?
Yes, please contact the College for approximate costs and distribution numbers
Source: www.ranzcr.edu.au
Can I count terms like radiation oncology, surgery, ophthalmology, obstetrics towards basic training?
You can if your DPT or DPPT approves it as suitable training, but only for a maximum of 3 months non-core training.
Source: www.racp.edu.au
What should I do if I have been diagnosed with cancer, and would like to seek treatment at the Finger Lakes Radiation Oncology Center?
Please call us at
(315) 462-5711 and our staff can guide you through the referral process.
Source: www.flrocenter.com
How/where can I get information about the Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Oncology programs?
Top • You can access more information about your chosen program by visiting the Radiological Technologies website at http://dc37.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/radtech or the following clinical sites: MGH, RVH, JGH and St• Mary's Hospital. Appointments would have to be made with the respective Clinical Instructors for a visit. • You can also find information about the Radiological Technologies Professions at the following websites: • http://www.radiologyinfo.org • http://www.otrq.qc.ca • http://www.camrt.ca
Source: dawsoncollege.luka.ca
I understand that there are two programs in Radiological Technologies. What are the differences between Diagnostic Radiology and Radiation Oncology?
Top • Diagnostic Radiology primarily involves caring for patients undergoing diagnostic examinations while safely operating X-Ray equipment used to diagnose disease. The ability to record and process images on x-ray film and digital storage media is also a requirement of the program. • Radiation Oncology primarily involves caring for patients undergoing therapeutic radiation treatment by the utilization of ionizing radiation. ...
Source: dawsoncollege.luka.ca
Is a resident permitted to use PGY-1 year experience in pathology, hematology/oncology or diagnostic imaging to fulfill the radiation oncology clinical experience requirements in these areas?
For those radiation oncology program directors who do not provide direct oversight of thePG-1 year, and accordingly, do not control the content or curriculum components of these initial 12 months, the Committee’s response would be ‘no’. The RRC would have difficulty in evaluating the quality of residents’ experience in the areas noted above. ...
Source: www.acgme.org
If I hold a time-limited certificate in radiation oncology, what do I need to do to comply with the MOC program?
Diplomates with certificates expiring in 2007 and beyond are automatically enrolled in MOC and should be completing the MOC requirements. See specific information here 14. I am a practicing radiation oncologist and still remember the stress of my initial board examinations. I am concerned about the MOC program being similar. The initial exams (computer-based and oral) reflect the knowledge and skills/relevant to specialty practice and are, by design, all-encompassing. ...
Source: www.theabr.org
For diplomates with certificates expiring in 2007 and beyond, you are automatically enrolled in MOC and should be completing the MOC requirements. Please go to Timelines & Fees to see specific requirements. I am a practicing radiation oncologist and still remember the stress of my initial board examinations. I am concerned about the MOC program being similar. The initial exams (computer-based and oral) reflect the knowledge and skills/relevant to specialty practice and are, by design, all-encompassing. ...
Source: www.theabr.org
Since I passed the initial board examinations in radiation oncology prior to 1995 and have a lifetime certificate, must I participate in the MOC process?
Your lifetime certificate remains valid. However, you are strongly encouraged to participate in the MOC process to demonstrate your commitment to lifelong learning, and to document achievements in your continuing professional development. In addition, certain state, payers, or healthcare organization already require recertification within the last 10 years (i.e., the 10-year rule). The ABR will always support the lifetime certificate; but the states, payers and those who grant clinical privileges are independent.
Source: www.theabr.org
