Hi Guys,
I've been reading up on Radiation Oncology and I'm really leaning towards it now. I've got an opportunity to undertake a research project in the field and have started thinking about how to set up my electives accordingly.
Now, I love physics, mathematics and statistics. I enjoy dealing with oncology patients (though I understand it's a bit different when you're doing it day-in day-out compared to as a student). Before I commit fully, however, I do want to make sure I inform myself fully about the field so I'm not entering with rose-tinted glasses. So I have a few questions:
i) I understand that clinic forms the bulk of the work (rad onc being a predominantly outpatient specialty). However, what % of your time is spent in clinic and what % is spent contouring, planning, simulating, talking with radiation therapists? Is it like a 75-25 split or more like a 90-10 split; or how many half-days out of clinic?
ii) This is the most important question for me. How formulaic is treatment? Is it a matter of "This patient has X cancer and Stage Y --> hence, prescribe this method + dose"? Or is it more individualized/tailored to the individual patient? Do you use much physics/mathematics when coming up with treatment plan or contouring?
iii) I understand there are some procedures (e.g. brachytherapy) - what exactly does the radiation oncologist do during these? Do they decide upon the dosage and then the urologist does the implantation? Or does it vary by institution?
I've been reading up on Radiation Oncology and I'm really leaning towards it now. I've got an opportunity to undertake a research project in the field and have started thinking about how to set up my electives accordingly.
Now, I love physics, mathematics and statistics. I enjoy dealing with oncology patients (though I understand it's a bit different when you're doing it day-in day-out compared to as a student). Before I commit fully, however, I do want to make sure I inform myself fully about the field so I'm not entering with rose-tinted glasses. So I have a few questions:
i) I understand that clinic forms the bulk of the work (rad onc being a predominantly outpatient specialty). However, what % of your time is spent in clinic and what % is spent contouring, planning, simulating, talking with radiation therapists? Is it like a 75-25 split or more like a 90-10 split; or how many half-days out of clinic?
ii) This is the most important question for me. How formulaic is treatment? Is it a matter of "This patient has X cancer and Stage Y --> hence, prescribe this method + dose"? Or is it more individualized/tailored to the individual patient? Do you use much physics/mathematics when coming up with treatment plan or contouring?
iii) I understand there are some procedures (e.g. brachytherapy) - what exactly does the radiation oncologist do during these? Do they decide upon the dosage and then the urologist does the implantation? Or does it vary by institution?