Basic Science Research and Rad Onc

[allopathic]

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Is basic science research compatible with a career in academic radiation oncology? I was under the impression that radiation oncologists see patients and at most do clinical research while PhDs in medical physics do the brunt of the hard-core basic science research which tends to advance the field. Also, given that most rad onc programs only allow about 6 months research time, how do residents prepare themselves adequately for basic research activities if they decide to pursue that road in a clinical department?

 

[stephew]

basic scientists are very attractve to rad oncs. Radiobio is a hot topic. How do you do it? Spend a year in the lab (you have to do 36 mons of your four years in clinic), do the Holman pathway (see theabr.org) or do a fellowship. Also many do lab work in conjunction with the clinical responsibilities; this really is only feasible once you have things up and running in the lab if at all.

My chair is an example of an md (no PhD) who didnt do lab work until residency, then did a one year fellowship, and now is a big radiobio leader and chairman of the dept.
(One of hopkins' youngest if not the youngest chair ever).
Steph