How/When did you know(decide) you wanted to go into RadOnc ?

[MikeKr17]

I will be a new M1 in the fall. I know from shadowing many medoncs that I am interested in oncology. I know from doing a research project in CT-Angiography I am interested in imaging. I know from being a former software engineer that I enjoy working with technology. From this combination of three interests I have concluded I want to look into RadOnc. I was told that RadOnc is so competitive that a med student almost needs to know they want to go into RadOnc after the first year so they can secure a research spot in RadOnc during the M1/M2 summer. What can I do during the first year to figure out if RadOnc is for me? Should I shadow docs in RadOnc during the first year? Should I try doing RadOnc research during M1 (is there time ? ) I would appreciate comments and advice. Thank you. Mike.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Pewl]

I will be a new M1 in the fall. I know from shadowing many medoncs that I am interested in oncology. I know from doing a research project in CT-Angiography I am interested in imaging. I know from being a former software engineer that I enjoy working with technology. From this combination of three interests I have concluded I want to look into RadOnc. I was told that RadOnc is so competitive that a med student almost needs to know they want to go into RadOnc after the first year so they can secure a research spot in RadOnc during the M1/M2 summer. What can I do during the first year to figure out if RadOnc is for me? Should I shadow docs in RadOnc during the first year? Should I try doing RadOnc research during M1 (is there time ? ) I would appreciate comments and advice. Thank you. Mike.

You might want to check out radiology as well. CT-Angiography type stuff lies within the realm of diagnostic and interventional radiology. Radiation oncology has more focus on using radiation as a mode of therapy. Nonetheless, if you're interested in rad onc, doing research between M1 and M2 would be a good idea.

 

[MikeKr17]

You might want to check out radiology as well. CT-Angiography type stuff lies within the realm of diagnostic and interventional radiology. Radiation oncology has more focus on using radiation as a mode of therapy. Nonetheless, if you're interested in rad onc, doing research between M1 and M2 would be a good idea.

I know that CTA relates to radiology but I would prefer more patient contact than Radiology offers that is part of why I am attracted to RadOnc. I know there is little relation between Rads and RadOnc but RadOnc still offers exposure to imaging and technology that I find interesting.

 

[Dwight7298]

You absolutely do NOT need to know you want to go into RadOnc from the get go. If your research interests happen to coincide with Radiation Oncology, GREAT. But I would take the first 2 years to really flesh those out and then maybe do a 1 year fellowship.

 

[G'ville Nole]

I'd agree there's no need to decide early, but identifying rad onc as a potential field of interest as a pre-M1 certainly gives you a bit of a leg up. During the pre-clinical years, things may vary by institution, but generally there is abundant opportunity for shadowing if you're reasonably good at managing your time. Many schools will offer summer research electives between M1-M2 years; this is a nice opportunity to identify a mentor and get a project under your belt.

I agree with Dwight that it is best to keep an open mind during your first few years (I initially wanted to do infectious disease, now look at me!), but I'd differ with him regarding 1 year fellowship a la Howard Hughes. While this can be a nice feather in one's cap, it is by no means mandatory, as the majority of matching applicants are straight-up 4 year MDs. Only if you're strongly interested in bench/translational type research would I advocate the extra time.

 

[iradi8u]

I didn't know for sure until I was 1/2 way through my 3rd year. Too late, in my opinion, because I had to scramble to get research and rotations arranged. I suggest that if you think this might be the pathway for you, you get some experience in radonc, even if it's just some early shadowing. If you can get some radonc research experience early, I think you'll be setting yourself up nicely - you can probably find something in radiobiology or radiation physics that would equally translate to radiology or radonc in the future.

Radiation oncology is just so darned hard to match. If I had known earlier, the last year and a half of med school would've been much less stressful for me.

 

[IndyXRT]

I finally decided on radiaiton oncology after taking it as the first rotation in my fourth year. It was stressful to get an away rotation scheduled and some research started, but it was still achievable. However, if you have a way to gain some experience sooner, it would certainly make life easier for you if you eventually decide radiation oncology is what you want to do.

 

[mikedc813]

I ended up shadowing at rad onc randomly through a course at my school during my 2nd year. It was then that I decided on rad onc. I agree that the earlier you get exposed to the field, the better. However, people who decide late in their 3rd year or early in their 4th year that rad onc is what they want to pursue do match.

 

[GassiusClay]

Hello everyone,

I've been looking into switching fields more and more and I know that fields like rad onc are hard to get into, but I wanted to know if I have a chance. I did pretty well on all 3 Steps, lowest being a 92. Plus, I did some bench research at MD Anderson as a med student couple years ago and got a paper out of it. School grades were good and ended up being in the top tier though no AOA.

Any advice from the attendings and program directors out there on how to go about this? I just wish some rotations were mandatory as a student so people can see it all. I didn't even know what RadOnc was until I meet a fellow intern who was going into it. Sounds like a good fusion of a lot of things.

Also, what are the downsides to the field that students and maybe even residents don't realize? Some secondary things that would concern me is job availability especially near larger cities and political control over one's job in a hospital arena. Please send me a private message if you wish.

Thanks everyone.

 

[IndyXRT]

Hello everyone,

I've been looking into switching fields more and more and I know that fields like rad onc are hard to get into, but I wanted to know if I have a chance. I did pretty well on all 3 Steps, lowest being a 92. Plus, I did some bench research at MD Anderson as a med student couple years ago and got a paper out of it. School grades were good and ended up being in the top tier though no AOA.

Any advice from the attendings and program directors out there on how to go about this? I just wish some rotations were mandatory as a student so people can see it all. I didn't even know what RadOnc was until I meet a fellow intern who was going into it. Sounds like a good fusion of a lot of things.

Also, what are the downsides to the field that students and maybe even residents don't realize? Some secondary things that would concern me is job availability especially near larger cities and political control over one's job in a hospital arena. Please send me a private message if you wish.

Thanks everyone.

I'm not sure exactly what you mean by "political control over one's job." However, as a referral-based specialty, you are dependent on your referring surgeons and medical oncologists. Few people go directly from primary care to radiation oncology, so you depend on referrals from other specialists, some of which may have financial incentive to not refer patients (e.g. urologists for prostate cancer).

Jobs are generally more difficult to come by (and less well compensated) near large cities. In a smaller field, some of the job availability will simply depend on luck. However, if you don't have your heart set on just one city, then you shouldn't have too much trouble finding a job (although there are no guarantees that the job market will be the same at the end of your training).

Switching to rad onc from another specialty can be done. A resident a few years ahead of me had completed FP training and came back to do a rad onc residency. Your best bet would be looking for open PGY2 spots that you could get outside of the match.

 

[radonc]

Switching to rad onc from another specialty can be done. A resident a few years ahead of me had completed FP training and came back to do a rad onc residency. Your best bet would be looking for open PGY2 spots that you could get outside of the match.

you are correct, it can be done...however, getting GME funding may be an issue. when you matched into your initial specialty, you are alloted a certain number of years of funding based on that specialty (IM=3. Rads=5, surg=5-7). if you finish one specialty and change directions and applly into radonc, you may not qualify for additional funding support from GME. you probably need to clarify this with the AAMC and other sources.

 

[IndyXRT]

you are correct, it can be done...however, getting GME funding may be an issue. when you matched into your initial specialty, you are alloted a certain number of years of funding based on that specialty (IM=3. Rads=5, surg=5-7). if you finish one specialty and change directions and applly into radonc, you may not qualify for additional funding support from GME. you probably need to clarify this with the AAMC and other sources.

It depends where you go. Many large hospitals go over their alotted cap of GME money, so that not all residents are funded (i.e. the department pays for some residents). If you were to apply for one of those positions, you might not be at a disadvantage.