Fellows will participate with consultations and follow up treatment room visits with attending radiation oncologist during inpatient and outpatient consultations, follow-up visits and treatment visits.
They will observe treatment planning (simulation) sessions and observe the physics staff perform dose calculation and treatment planning functions.
Goals and Objectives:
The fellow will be able to evaluate a patient who is referred for radiation therapy and understand the treatment approach, potential gains and side effects of treatment and potential effects on patient’s quality of life.
Evaluation:
At the end of the rotation, the fellow will be evaluated utilizing the locally adapted evaluation form available electronically on MEC. This will be a composite evaluation completed by the director of the elective. Additionally, the elective director will discuss the evaluation with the fellow.
Competencies:
I. Patient Care
A. The fellow will perform competent histories and physical examinations on patients who are referred for or are undergoing radiation treatment.
B. The fellow will identify and care for side effects of radiation treatment.
II. Medical Knowledge
A. The fellow will understand the major principles of radiation treatment.
B. The fellow will understand the pharmacology of radiation sensitizing agents.
C. The fellow will become familiar with other radio-isotopes used in the treatment of cancer.
D. The fellow will understand the common uses of radiation therapy in the treatment of metastatic cancers, as adjunctive therapy, and as the primary modality of treatment.
E. The fellow will understand the effect that radiation therapy may have on the patient’s quality of life and develop and empathic and understanding response.
III. Problem Based Learning and Improvement
A. The fellow will review Radiation Therapy flow sheets and understand their usefulness.
B. The fellow will chart legible and clearly written notes detailing the progress of the patients.
IV. Interpersonal and Communication Skills
A. The fellow will discuss with patients and families the indications for, expected outcomes, and potential side effects of radiation treatment.
B. The fellow will communicate effectively with other health care providers/clerical staff in the Radiation Therapy Department.
C. The fellow will be able to succinctly present cases to the attending physician so appropriate management decisions can be made.
V. Professionalism
A. The fellow will work collaboratively with other members of the Cancer Team.
B. The fellow will respect the right of the patients to participate in shared decision making and act autonomously.
VI. Systems Based Practice
A. The fellow will understand the role of the radiation oncologist in the management of the cancer patient and how they relate to the care provided by other cancer specialists (i.e. medical oncologist, social worker, nurse, etc.).
B. The fellow will participate in multidisciplinary rounds of the department.
C. The fellow will become familiar with the psychosocial impact of radiation therapy and how best to approach that to ensure optimal patient comfort.
