Pediatric Rad Onc

[Clive]

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Is peds rad onc a truly viable option today?

I realize there are fellowship opportunities, but I've heard from rad onc attendings that it is nearly impossible to make any money doing an all-peds practice. Is this true?

Also, how big of a city would one need to practice in to have a peds rad onc practice with enough patients to keep the doors open?

Any input or links to good articles about the subject would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Gfunk6]

Yes it is a viable option, but in large, academic medical centers only. It is not financially feasible to have an all-peds private RadOnc facility. The reason is simple, you would have to practice in a major metropolitan area for volume and, frankly the academic centers will be able to do it much better than you.

Some peds related threads can be found here, here, and here.

 

[CNphair]

I have had the privilege of working closely with two pediatric radiation oncologists. Both advised that peds rad onc is available to those who truly want to do it...However, you need to be willing to commit to an academic practice and focus solely of peds patients. It is rare to find someone who can actively treat both kids and adults well.

These may sound like easy things, but they really aren't. Peds rad onc is tough...the outcomes generally are not good. Children treated with radiation are usually very, very sick. Those that do survive often have significant long term sequelae from treatment. It is easy for physicians to get discouraged.

If you want it, you can have it. There is not a long line of people vying for the position. But do not expect to have the "lucrative" rad onc paycheck you may have heard about. Its not something you do for the money.

 

[stephew]

Is peds rad onc a truly viable option today?

I realize there are fellowship opportunities, but I've heard from rad onc attendings that it is nearly impossible to make any money doing an all-peds practice. Is this true?

Also, how big of a city would one need to practice in to have a peds rad onc practice with enough patients to keep the doors open?

Any input or links to good articles about the subject would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

you wouldnt do peds (alone at least) in private practice. And frankly I think it boarders on unethical to do much of pedsonc outside of a program with a heavy case load and on protocols. If you really want to be a preds radonc specialist, you'll be doing a academic practice.

 

[Clive]

Very helpful everyone. Thanks for the input and links to past discussions.