Resident: Supervisor: Rao Khan, Ph.D

Benefit to the Resident:

Benefit to the TBCC:

Research /Clinical/ Miscellaneous Project: Clinical

Importance of Project: 3

Availability for project Jan. 2010

Course Name: Radiation Oncology Physics Tutorials

Tom Baker Cancer Centre

Department of Medical Physics

Two 1.5 hr sessions twice per week over the Fall and Winter Terms.

This course augments the theoretical knowledge acquired during a CAMPEP accredited graduate program and prepares the student for the Membership Examination of the Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine.

The student is required to prepare written answers to 120 pre-set questions published by the Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine as part of the certification process in Radiation Oncology Physics. This course is conducted in a tutorial setting and the students are evaluated on the basis of their answers to a subset of the questions.

The schedule is established by mutual agreement between the Instructor and students.

As assigned.

• 
  Students will answer approximately 10% of the prepared questions in an examination format.
  

Acceptance into the University of Calgary Post PhD. Diploma Program in Radiation Oncology Physics and approval of the Department.

1. 
   Examination Booklet published by the Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine.
   
2. 
   Schedule, Appendix G.
   
3. 
   Course Evaluation, Appendix C.
   

As recommended by the Instructors.

Department of Medical Physics

As required. The course extends over the full two years of the program.

This course has four components and is spread over the two years of the program to ensure that the student’s increasing knowledge can be consolidated into a thorough understanding of the clinical practice of radiation oncology physics.

The first component is the observation of simulation and localization under the supervision of a radiation oncologist. The second component is an in-depth study of the physics behind the treatment planning of the main tumour sites. This component utilizes a web based tool and is led by adjunct faculty. The third component is active participation in Treatment Planning discussion sessions primarily designed for Radiation Oncology Residents. The final component, Patient Tracking, involves following a minimum of twenty patients through the entire radiation therapy process from immobilization through localization, treatment planning, treatment delivery to verification.

• 
  Observation of simulation and localization commences within the first few weeks of the program.
  
• 
  The web based tool may be accessed at the student’s convenience but should commence early in the program. Supervision of this component will be scheduled at mutual convenience.
  
• 
  Radiation Oncology Residents Treatment Planning sessions are scheduled generally through the Fall and Winter Terms. The student should commence attendance as soon as possible.
  
• 
  Patient Tracking will commence in the 2^nd year of the program.
  

As assigned.

• 
  Students must attend all simulator/localization sessions.
  
• 
  The web based tool includes an evaluation component.
  
• 
  Students must attend at least 80% of the Radiation Oncology Residents Treatment Planning sessions.
  
• 
  The student will prepare a 3 page written report for each of the twenty patients followed. The report will detail each step of the process. The student must generate their own treatment plan for each patient. The report will emphasize areas in which Radiation Oncology Physics is of particular relevance and critically analyze opportunities for improvement from the Physics perspective.
  

Acceptance into the University of Calgary Post Ph.D. Diploma Program in Radiation Oncology Physics and approval of the Department.

1. Course Evaluation, Appendix C

2. Simulator/Observation Schedule, Appendix H

3. Radiation Oncology Residents Clinical Treatment Planning course schedule,

Appendix I
References:

As recommended by the Supervisors.