The Radiation Oncology Program is designed to provide the residents with a fostering academic environment; in which they are provided the facilities, teaching, mentorship, and patient exposure to achieve proficiency in the ACGME Competency areas (Patient Care, Medical Knowledge, Practice-Based Learning and Improvement, Interpersonal and Communication Skills, Professionalism, and Systems-Based Practic). Milestones for each year of the residency program and specific competency goals for each core clinical rotation are described in the Residency Guidelines. Each year these guidelines are updated to be complaint with the ACGME and ABR mandates. These guidelines describe the mechanisms for achieving these milestones and goals. Also, the evaluation of residents, the faculty and the program are described.

These competencies represent a framework to structure the residency program. All residency teaching and achievement falls into one or more of these competencies or core categories. In addition to learning historical and current clinical knowledge the resident must become competent in multiple other areas to be successful after completion of their residency. The resident must understand biomedical ethics and the professional expectations of a radiation oncologist; must be able to communicate effectively to patients, staff, and physicians; must learn information-based computer skills to obtain information, know how to critically review the literature, and develop a methodology for continuing their medical education after leaving residency for successful integration into post-residency medicine. Finally he/she must understand how the medical system works including reimbursement, the role of regulatory agencies, and practice/referral patterns.

The Program Director will identify weaknesses in the Department's ability to meet any of the ACGME, ABR, or Institutional Requirements and schedule the residents in appropriate Institution-wide conferences and seminars; or, schedule in-service lectures with Medical Center personnel outside our department to fulfill the teaching criteria.

The Core Curriculum functions as a general framework for the Residency Program.  Within this framework there are six General Competency Areas that are defined for resident achievement.

1) Patient Care

The resident should be able to

• Gather essential and accurate information about their patients
• Make informed decisions about diagnostic and therapeutic intervention based on patient information and preferences, up to date scientific evidence, and clinical judgment
• Develop and carry out patient management plans
• Perform competently all medical and invasive procedures considered essential for the practice of radiation oncology
• Counsel and educate patients and their family

2)  Medical Knowledge

The resident should

• know the basic and clinical supportive sciences that are appropriate to general oncology management and radiation oncology
• be able to apply basic and clinical supportive sciences that are appropriate to the discipline

3) Practice Based Learning and Improvement

The resident should be able to

• Use information technology to manage information, access on-line medical information; and support their education
• Analyze practice experience and perform practice based improvement activities using a systematic methodology
• Locate, appraise and assimilate evidence from scientific studies related to their patient's health problems
• Use evaluation of performance provided by peers, patients, faculty, and other members of the radiation oncology department (nurses, physicists, dosimetrists, therapists, and clerical personnel) and other physicians to improve their patient skills

4) Interpersonal Skills and Communication

The resident should be able to

• Communicate effectively with patients and families to create and sustain a professional and therapeutic relationship
• Communicate effectively with physicians, other health professionals, and health related agencies and act in a consultative role to other physicians and health professionals
• Maintain comprehensive, timely, and legible medical records

5) Professionalism

The resident should be able to

• Demonstrate a commitment to ethical principles pertaining to provision or withholding of clinical care, confidentiality of patient information, informed consent, and business practice
• Demonstrate respect, compassion, and integrity; a responsiveness to the needs of patients and society that supersedes self interests; accountability to patients, society, and the medical profession; and a commitment to excellence and on going professional development
• Demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to patient's culture, age, gender, and disabilities

6) Systems Based Practice

The resident should be able to

• Understand how their patient care and other professional practices affect other health care professionals, the health care organizations, and the larger society, and how these elements of the system affect their own practice
• Practice cost effective health care and resource allocation that does not compromise quality of care