Shadowing a Rads-Onc

[walkthesplanch]

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I've never shadowed before, and a radiology oncologist offered to let me shadow. Anybody have any suggestions about the types of questions I could ask? Aside from how he likes it/lifestyle kind of things. Thanks.

 

[GoodmanBrown]

I'm not sure I'd jump straight to lifestyle...

How about any cancer questions? Stuff like, what kinds of cancers do you see? What are the most common treatment modalities you use? Stuff like that?

 

[Kevin Baker]

The technology is really cool, as are some of the physics if you're into that kinda stuff. I'd ask about which machines or treatment modalities they use and why they use it. Mets in the brain stem? Do they use whole brain RT or are they small enough they can use sterotactic surgery. What is their relation with the medical oncologists and surgeons? Do they run clinical trials or have active research projects going on, etc.

It's Rad Onc btw.

 

[BTC]

I'm not sure I'd jump straight to lifestyle...

How about any cancer questions? Stuff like, what kinds of cancers do you see? What are the most common treatment modalities you use? Stuff like that?

Ask them whatever you'd like. This isn't a job interview and its an opportunity to figure out if Rad Onc is a good fit. There's no point in holding back questions because some Rad Onc might be led to think that there is a med student out there who doesn't want to work 80 hrs/wk after residency.

 

[GoodmanBrown]

Ask them whatever you'd like. This isn't a job interview and its an opportunity to figure out if Rad Onc is a good fit. There's no point in holding back questions because some Rad Onc might be led to think that there is a med student out there who doesn't want to work 80 hrs/wk after residency.

If the first thing out of a shadowing student's mouth are "What do you make? How much do you have to work?", the rest of the day will be spent with a doctor who thinks you're a tool. That probably results in a less fun day and a less accurate look at the field.

Everyone (doctors included) like it when you take an interest in what they do. And surprisingly, you may not learn all about the field in one day, so if you want to be invited back, at least feign interest for the first few hours, then ask about the $$$ and chicks.

 

[mvenus929]

Ask about some unusual cases they've seen.

Be yourself, don't go in with a list of preformed questions.

 

[muhali3]

Read the thread on the Rad Onc board: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/forumdisplay.php?f=50

so you can get a feeling for what the issues are within the field of Rad Onc.