RADIATION ONCOLOGY

The Radiation Oncology Residency Training Program is an active, accredited program through Queen's University and managed through the Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario at Kingston General Hospital. To provide optimal care, the members of the program believe in participation in research and educational activities. Emphasis is placed on providing excellent training to residents through involvement in the clinical program, participation in educational activities such as tumour boards, conferences, academic half days, policy development, and involvement with the Queen's Cancer Research Institute (QCRI). The members of the program work with other health care professionals within the Centre and the community to ensure state-of-the art medical care for patients.

The Radiation Oncology Program also participates in the training and education of radiation therapy students and medical physics students, residents and post-doctoral fellows. In addition, there is an active Fellowship program in Radiation Oncology through QCRI. Electives are offered to postgraduate and undergraduate medical students from Queen’s and elsewhere.

The Radiation Oncology Residency Training Program supports the objectives of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and the program is structured to follow CanMEDS. The overall goal of the program is to train residents to be well qualified Radiation Oncologists, successful in their careers.

There are currently 8 Radiation Oncologists at the Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario and 2 consultant Radiation Oncologists from Durham. The Radiation Oncology Program also includes Medical Physicists, physics assistants, dosimetrists, electronics technologists, radiation therapists, radiation oncology nursing, a machinist, clinical practice secretaries and a program assistant. The Centre functions in a multi-disciplinary structure with Medical Oncologists, Hematologists, Surgeons, Internists and others. In addition, there is a large support team including Supportive Care Providers, Psychologists, Social Workers, Dieticians, among others. The in-patient facility is through the Kingston General Hospital.

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EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

The Radiation Oncology Program supports the mandate of training through education. The program has a strong emphasis on educational and quality assurance activities.

Multi-disciplinary tumour board conferences are held weekly to discuss new patients and problematic situations. Conferences are held for breast, genitourinary, gynecological, head and neck, lung, lymphoma, and gastrointestinal tumour sites.

Radiation Oncology sponsors 2 half-days per month for departmental continuing education activities including journal club, policy review and Rounds. Resident participation in academic half days is expected.

Weekly, Audit Rounds review all patients simulated that week for quality assurance.

The residents will be sponsored to attend 1-2 external conferences per year. Residents will be encouraged and assisted to present projects at these meetings in their latter years.

Please see the Radiation Oncology Residency Training Program's Overall Goals and Objectives.

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ELECTIVES

Radiation Oncology Residents

Radiation Oncology Residents at Queen’s University and the Cancer Centre have the opportunity to do a 6-month elective in the Queen's Cancer Research Institute (QCRI). This is a well-established unit that has focused on studies involving health policy, epidemiology, outcome analysis, and quality of life issues.

Electives are offered in brachytherapy at the Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre. Electives in Pediatric Oncology are often supported through the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto.

Residents in Radiation Oncology programs elsewhere are welcome to participate in electives of 1-6 months in this program.

Residents in Other Disciplines

Residents in Internal Medicine, Family Practice, General Surgery, Gynecology, Hematology, Palliative Care and Pathology spend elective time in the Radiation Oncology Program.

Medical Students

Undergraduate electives are supported and encouraged in the program. Residents participate in the teaching of medical students as appropriate for their level of training.

Observerships are also available and can offer great insight to clinical experiences.

All observerships and electives can be arranged by contacting:

Micheline Primeau, Academic Coordinator
Queen's University Department of Oncology
Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario
25 King Street West, Kingston ON K7L 5P9
Tel.: 613-544-2631 ext. 6647
Fax: 613-546-8201

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PROGRAM STRUCTURE

Dr. Maria Kalyvas is the Director of the Radiation Oncology Residency Training Program. The Training Program Committee is comprised of representatives from Radiation Oncology, Medical Physics and Palliative Medicine. The Chief Resident and a Resident elected from their peers are full members on the committee. The Committee meets once every 2 months. Resident's input is always discussed at these meetings. Issues affecting the program and residents, information from the Royal College or Post-graduate Dean’s office are also discussed. Resident evaluations are reviewed. The Committee is responsible for ensuring that Residents are adequately prepared for the Royal College examinations. The Committee is responsible for the Final In-Training Evaluation.

Currently, one resident per year is accepted into the program. The Training Program reactivated in July 2001 after a two-year closure – a decision made by the Radiation Oncology Program at that time. We were very pleased with the quality of the applications, and the members of the program have made a group commitment to supporting residents in this program.

Residents follow the 5-year training program as outlined by the Royal College. Opportunity is given for elective time at Queen’s or remote sites. In addition, QCRI provides a strong base for research projects for the residents. Graduated responsibility is given to the residents over the 5 years as they prepare to become independent practitioners.

Training Program Committee Members

Dr. M. Kalyvas, Program Director
Dr. A. Kerr, Medical Physics
Dr. C. Schroder, Palliative Medicine
Dr. C. de Metz, Radiation Oncology
Dr. K. Thain, Radiation Oncology
Dr. K. Zaza, Radiation Oncology
Dr. M. Brundage, Radiation Oncology
S. McArdle, Radiation Therapist
Dr. J. Rose, Chief resident
Dr. D. Yip, Resident Elect
M. Primeau, Program Coordinator

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APPLICATIONS

The Radiation Oncology Program at Queen’s University and the Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario participates in the CaRMS match. Applicants are advised to proceed along these timelines. Please visit the CaRMS website for more information.

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