Radiation Physics Residency

Objectives

• Residents become competent in all areas related to the safe and efficacious use of ionizing radiation as it relates to simulation, planning and treatment delivery of human disease. This is accomplished in part through routine evaluated clinical rotations and didactic lectures.

• Residents complete structured rotations that include written summaries/reports at the completion of the rotation. Mentor meetings occur throughout each rotation in one-to-one and group settings.

• Residents present, review and defend their knowledge of a given rotation in oral-based sessions with the residency program faculty.

• Grades are based on the results of ongoing evaluations and end of rotation oral exams.

• Residents obtain an appropriate mastery of the radiation physics principles (e.g. interactions of radiation in matter, radionuclidic decay therapy) associated with the use of radiation in treatment of human malignancy.

• Residents obtain a level of training in anatomy, computer technology and diagnostic imaging appropriate for a position as a therapeutic radiological physicist. This is primarily accomplished during the clinical dosimetric treatment planning rotation and didactic courses on these topics.

• Residents demonstrate knowledge sufficient to manage the radiation safety aspects of a radiation oncology practice.

• Residents attend department conferences, M&Ms, journal clubs, resident seminars and radiation physics division meetings.

• Residents understand the potential uses of – and hazards associated with – ionizing radiation and high voltage electronics as used in the practice of radiation oncology.

• Residents understand, through both didactic and practical training, radiobiological principles of the use of radiation.

Rotations

A bibliography provides residents reading assignments consisting of book chapters, salient papers and related instructions. At the same time, residents observe and receive explicit instructions on why, how and what, with attention to making sure each resident understands the fundamental aspects of the current rotation. A meeting with at least one of the physics faculty members is held during the rotation to review/document assessed resident progress.

Engaged in the rotation, but closely supervised, residents work hand-in-hand with a mentor, performing the tasks under direct supervision. This develops the confidence in the residents’ ability to carry out the process. Mentors write an evaluation documenting progress. A meeting with at least one of the physics faculty members is held during the rotation to review/document assessed resident progress.

Toward the end of the rotation, residents are expected to perform the duties as a medical physicist, using a mentor as a consultant for questions. This mentor evaluates each resident on the level of competence developed at this stage of the residency.

PGY-1

First-Year Physics Resident Rotation

PGY-2

Second-Year Physics Resident Rotation

Evaluation

Each resident maintains a resident log where activities for each day or week are logged. These are discussed and reviewed with the primary mentor during scheduled comprehension meetings. Mentor comments are logged in the file.

In addition, residents prepare and submit a written document outlining the material covered in a given rotation. Residents are expected to understand the material outlined without necessarily documenting every detail in the report.

Residents deliver 60-minute talks at regular intervals on selected topics during their residency. Expectations from residents for these presentations are clearly outlined and the document is provided.

Residents' overall knowledge of the rotation will be evaluated at end-of-rotation oral exams by at least three of the physics faculty members.