Residency Curriculum

Sample weekly schedule (Day in the life of a resident)

Physics Course:

This annual course meets on Wednesdays and Fridays from 7-8 AM throughout the year for PGY-2, PGY-3, and PGY-4 residents. A member of the physics faculty presents the required curriculum through the use of PowerPoint lectures. This course is led by one of our department’s medical physicists, Dr. Claus Yang.

Radiation Biology Course:

This course meets weekly on Tuesdays from 8-9 AM throughout the year for PGY-2, PGY-3, and PGY-4 residents. The required curriculum is presented through a series of PowerPoint lectures and review questions. It is managed by our in-house radiobiologist.

Chart Rounds:

All patients starting treatment over the prior week are presented to the faculty for review of the clinical history and radiation treatment plan. Residents are expected to present the patients of the faculty member with whom they are working. This conference occurs every Wednesday morning at 8.30 am. 

Resident Lecture Series:

This year-long lecture series systematically covers the fundamental aspects of the diagnosis, workup, and management of cancers in each disease site with special attention given to the pertinent literature. This conference takes place weekly on Wednesday mornings after chart rounds from 10-11 AM.

Clinical Lecture Series:

This year-long, faculty-driven lecture series runs in conjunction with the resident lecture series to allow more detailed discussions regarding treatment planning, surgical techniques, brachytherapy planning, and case-based “oral board” style reviews. The lectures are given by both our own radiation oncology faculty as well as faculty from other departments such as urology, neurosurgery, otolaryngology, and medical oncology. This conference occurs weekly on Wednesday mornings after chart rounds from 10-11 AM.

Morbidity and Mortality:

Residents present patient cases that involve severe adverse events resulting in hospitalization, an unplanned break in treatment, discontinuation of treatment, or death. A discussion on strategies for avoiding toxicities, recognizing and managing toxicities, and analyzing and correcting any medical errors follows.

Multidisciplinary Tumor Boards:

Residents attend multidisciplinary tumor boards relevant to their rotation. The exposure to medical oncology, pathology, surgical oncology, and radiology serves to meet ACGME requirements in these areas.

Journal Club:

Once every four months, from 10-11 AM, a physician and a resident select articles for discussion. The entire department meets to discuss these articles on Wednesdays after chart rounds.

Friday Case Conference:

Resident-led morning conferences occur every Friday from 8:30-9:30 AM. We present a particular disease, covering epidemiology, natural history, staging, diagnostic workup, major studies, and treatment planning. The supervising attending is also present to aid in the literature review and discussion of current developments and controversies.

Visiting Faculty Series:

Each year, the department sponsors 4-5 experts in radiation oncology from other institutions. The guest faculty member typically meets alone with the residents for 1-2 hours for an educational session in addition to giving a lecture to the department.

Call:

Residents take the call for one week at a time and are required to stay on campus until all patients have been treated. The call schedule is arranged by seniority with first-year residents averaging 6-7 calls per year and decreased call responsibilities in subsequent years.

New Radiation Oncology Reflection Rounds:

These optional sessions provide a supportive environment within which we can come together and debrief about the challenges and joys we face in caring for seriously ill patients. The sessions occur quarterly, and were the result of an idea from one of our residents!

Social Activities:

Residents are encouraged to socialize, and the department facilitates this by funding social activities at least once every three months. Outings have included happy hours, bowling, kayaking, escape rooms, and more!