Addressing Medical Physics Resident Knowledge Gaps through a New Collaboratively-Developed Rotation
Abstract
Purpose
To develop an introductory medical physics residency rotation, in collaboration with a radiation oncologist, to address knowledge gaps of incoming residents from non-traditional career paths.
Methods
Instructor feedback on resident performance identified clinical knowledge gaps in residents with nontraditional backgrounds. As the current rotation schedule lacked sufficient educational support, a new introductory rotation was established to strengthen clinical knowledge and improve board exam performance. The identified educational topics included linear accelerator components and operation, CT based cross-sectional human anatomy, and radiation oncology clinical workflows including workup and treatment. A collaborative, interdisciplinary approach was employed, with a radiation oncologist contributing to resource development, strengthening clinical context. Additionally, residents shadow radiation oncologists during patient encounters, consultations, and radiation treatment.
Results
The one-month rotation represents an expedited introduction to clinical radiation oncology, covering a wide breadth of topics. Resident feedback has been positive: 2nd-year residents, having completed the 1st year cycle prior to the rotation’s introduction, have since requested an equivalent supplementary experience.
Conclusion
Collaborative, interdisciplinary rotations can help residents who have non-traditional backgrounds quickly improve their performance in medical physics and understanding of clinical culture and medical parlance. Improved clinical competence and performance in subsequent rotations from residents who have completed the rotation has been anecdotally reported. As the field adopts medphys 3.0 and the increased potential of clinical physics consults, an integration of physician experience into the medical physics residency helps to prepare our professionals for their future.