Our Goal, Aims, and Core Competencies

Our Goal:

Our goal is to train capable and compassionate board-certified Radiation Oncologists who are prepared for independent practice by providing an environment in which they can experience the full scope of the specialty, enabling them to learn how to practice evidence-based medicine, and training them to conduct and interpret cancer research. As the premier cancer center in the state, it is also our mission to recruit individuals with a strong work ethic and a desire to serve the people of the State of Mississippi and the surrounding region.

Our Aims:

It is our aim to:

• Provide exposure to and teaching in a wide variety of radiation therapies, including brachytherapy.
• Facilitate our trainees' preparedness for board examinations and independent practice by protecting academic time and instituting mock orals across disease sites.
• Broaden our educational program by incorporating guest speakers from physicians outside of our program and our institution.
• Emphasize strong inter-professional and interdisciplinary relationships and improve resident communication skills to ensure high-quality and safe patient care.
• Provide ample opportunity for the conduct of research.
• Engage all residents and faculty with a core philosophy of encouragement, accountability, positive morale, resilience, and helpfulness.

Core Competencies:

The resident will obtain competency to the level expected of a new practitioner in the six areas below as specified by the ACGME. Competency in these six areas will be measured by various evaluations.

Patient Care

The resident is able to provide compassionate, appropriate, and effective patient care for the treatment of health problems and the promotion of health. Resident understands how to appropriately prioritize patient problems and develop an appropriate diagnostic plan, prescribes medications appropriately, and shows an appropriate balance between attention to the details of patient care and the overall context of treating the patient's illness. The resident obtains consultations appropriately and is able to perform technical procedures completely, when appropriate.

Medical Knowledge

The resident demonstrates knowledge of established and evolving biomedical, clinical, epidemiological, and social/behavioral sciences as well as the application of this knowledge to patient care. The resident is able to assess diagnostic information critically and constructively and recognizes the psychosocial aspects of illness. The resident is able to critically evaluate the medical literature and apply new knowledge to the delivery of safe and effective patient care.

Practice-Based Learning and Improvement

The resident is able to critically evaluate the care of their patients, appraise and assimilate scientific evidence, and continuously improve patient care delivered on the basis of ongoing self-evaluation and learning. The resident uses knowledge to educate patient families, medical students, allied health personnel, peers, and other health professionals as appropriate. The resident is capable of self-identifying strengths, deficiencies, and the limits of their knowledge and expertise. The resident is receptive to constructive criticism (formative evaluation feedback) regarding the care of patients and physician performance. The resident is able to set learning and improvement goals and identify and perform activities appropriate to meeting those goals.

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

The resident demonstrates interpersonal and communication skills that result in effective information exchange and collaboration with patients, families, and other health professionals. These skills include the ability to communicate across a broad range of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds and the ability to communicate with physicians, health professionals, and health-related agencies effectively. The resident is able to maintain comprehensive, timely, and readable medical records. The resident can work effectively as a member or leader of a healthcare team and serve appropriately as a consultant to other physicians and health professionals. Resident is able to clearly lead daily work rounds, when appropriate.

Professionalism

The resident is committed to carrying out professional responsibilities and adhering to ethical principles. The resident demonstrates respect for patient privacy and autonomy and is accountable to the patient, society, and the medical profession for actions. The resident demonstrates compassion, integrity, and respect for others as well as responsiveness to patient needs that supersede self-interest. The resident demonstrates sensitivity and responsiveness to a broad, diverse patient population. The resident demonstrates the ability to manage personal stress effectively. The resident is expected to answer pages or messages in a timely fashion. The resident understands how to maintain appropriate professional boundaries, and demonstrates integrity, honesty, and compassion. The resident completes assigned tasks in a timely fashion.

Systems-Based Practice

The resident understands and is capable of interacting effectively with different systems of care. The resident demonstrates the ability to provide high-quality care in a cost-effective manner. The resident incorporates consideration of cost awareness and risk-benefit analysis in patient care decisions. The resident advocates for high-quality care for all patients.