IU School of Medicine Student Portal

Elective Title: 02RT711 — RADIATION ONCOLOGY ELECTIVE ROTATION

Description:

Medical Student will participate in the evaluation and management of patients with malignancy in the Radiation Oncology facility. The student will learn the process of developing a treatment plan after consideration of available treatment options and in light of national guidelines. The student will be exposed to the challenges of the medical and psycho-social problems associated with a cancer diagnosis and the management of radiation therapy side effects. The student will learn how radiation physics and computerized treatment planning are integrated into clinical practice. The student will be asked to deliver a lecture/presentation on a topic related to cancer. The student will participate in weekly multimodality cancer conferences. Goals: 1. Instruction in the evaluation of the patient with cancer, refinement of basic exam skills and acquisition of new skills 2. Understand treatment strategies and goals for the major malignancies 3. Learn how to communicate treatment options in the face of serious illness and uncertain outcomes 4. Improve knowledge of anatomic-radiographic correlations 5. Learn how to evaluate cancer literature 6. Understanding molecular basis for cancer and physical principles of radiation delivery 7. Opportunity for independent research

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Learning Objectives

• 1) Study anatomic models, computer or text descriptions of the larynx, observe a nasopharyngoscopy, and be able to describe and identify anatomic regions of the head and neck (MK1)
• 2) On each tumor site directed rotation of 2-4 days, become acquainted with the regional anatomy, the lymphatic drainage of the primary site, the signs and symptoms of tumor involvement, and radiographic identification of regional anatomy using texts, assigned literature and web based tools (MK3)
• 3) Evaluate and present to attending at least one patient with a curative condition for which radiation alone or with a systemic agent can be used as definitive treatment, at least one patient for which radiation is used in the adjuvant or neoadjuvant setting, and a least one patient who may be a candidate for palliative treatment. In each case, demonstrate assembly of relevant details such as tumor history, family history, and description of signs, symptoms and laboratory and imaging findings) In each case, outline possible sources of any symptoms or findings present, and identify normal anatomy within region of tumor, and lines of lymphatic and vascular drainage (MK3)
• 4) Outline on a series of transaxial CT slices on an index case defined anatomic compartments using text and literature based definitions, illustrated sample examples, and CD study aids to identify bounding normal structures (MK1)
• 5) Present a 35 min talk with an additional ten minutes reserved for questions on a topic relevant to oncology. Research one question of relevance, and present to the audience the defined question; an analysis of the findings and quality of the primary sources that address it using graphs and tables; a review and comparison of the secondary sources (texts, guidelines) that comment on the question and an assay of how well they are grounded in the primary data; and the student’s own assessment of the question, tradeoffs and probabilities among various alternative answers, as well as suggestions for the protocols of future research (PBLI1, ICS3)
• 6) Study and answer directed questions regarding knowledge of anatomy and physiology related to the assessment and management of cancer in various tumor sites (MK1)
• 7) Participate in conferences attended by trainees and/or faculty in problem management, peer review, morbidity and mortality, journal club, multidisciplinary tumor site management, and basic science and clinical didactic series (P2)

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Assessment

• Clinical Performance Evaluation Form (Clinical Observation; Clinical research and paper presentation at the cancer conference; objective examination)

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Enrollment Information

Prerequisites: 3rd or 4th year status; interest in oncology

Availability with Max Students per Month:

Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sept	Oct	Nov	Dec	Jan	Feb	Mar
1	1	1	1	0	1	1	1	1	0	1	1

Duty Hours: 40

Time Distribution: 75% Clinical; 15% Didactic; 10% Radiographic anatomy computer lab

Elective Type Category: CP - Clinical Practice

Notes and Enrollment Information:

Add/Drop Contact Person: Sharon Roberts (robeshar@iu.edu) THIS ELECTIVE DOES NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE INITIAL SENIOR MATCH All Fort Wayne electives must go thru the Fort Wayne campus coordinator Sharon Roberts (robeshar@iu.edu or 260-257-6833).

Third Year Elective? Yes

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Interprofessional Skills and Service Learning

Interprofessional Collaborative Skills: Yes

Skills Description: Rotate with Medical Oncologists, interact with other specialty physicians and dietitians in weekly combined modality cancer conferences

Service Learning Included: None