Radiation Oncology Medical Student Rotation

This four-week clinical elective offers the student instruction and experience in clinical radiation oncology and an introduction to radiobiology and radiation physics in the Department of Radiation Oncology at City of Hope National Medical Center. The student will spend time with faculty members in consultation, examination, treatment planning, treatment procedures and delivery, management, and follow-up of the particular subgroups of malignant disease managed by the individual physician. The student will also have opportunities to interact with resident physicians and clinic staff (e.g., advanced practice providers, nurses, therapists, etc.).

The student will attend departmental conferences, treatment planning discussions, tumor boards, and educational sessions. The elective allows each student to obtain an overall view of the field of radiation oncology and broad exposure to the Department of Radiation Oncology at City of Hope.

Objectives/Goals

  1. Learn the fundamental approaches to the workup and staging of the oncology patient.
  2. Become familiar with different therapeutic options for malignant disease.
  3. Develop a basic conceptual approach to managing oncology patients in a multi-disciplinary setting.
  4. Build an appreciation for radiotherapy's role in managing malignant and benign disease, including various radiotherapy techniques.
  5. Cultivate an understanding of the common radiation-related side effects and their management.

Clinic Assignments

  1. Typically, a primary attending faculty physician will be assigned for the week; however, students will spend one day weekly with a different physician, given that the primary attending physician often has at least one administrative/research day.

  2. When a particular physician has a light-to-empty clinic, we may assign a secondary physician for that day to ensure a robust clinical experience.

Research Assignments

  1. While this rotation's priority is clinical, there may be possible opportunities for involvement in radiation oncology research with faculty that can be discussed.

Expectations of the Medical Student

  1. Clinical hours are generally 8 a.m.-5 p.m., though occasionally, the schedule for a teaching session, procedure, or tumor board may be between 7-8 a.m. and 5-6 p.m.
  2. Students are expected to review patient charts for patients they plan to see before the clinic encounter.
  3. Discuss expectations with the individual attending faculty physician and resident (if a resident is assigned to an attending).
    1. Medical students will not be expected to document patient notes or place orders.
    2. Medical students will not have their own log-in to Aria/Eclipse for treatment planning/contouring but may contour under the supervision of a resident/attending.

  4. Students will be expected to do a 30-minute presentation in the form of a journal club or topic review at the end of a rotation.

Feedback/Evaluation

The teaching faculty will provide constant feedback to the student. One of the faculty members in charge will conduct a final rotation evaluation of their overall performance.

How to Apply

Interested medical students should apply through the AAMC Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO). For any questions regarding the medical student rotation, please feel free to contact the medical student clerkship director, Dr. Arya Amini ([email protected]), or our medical student clerkship coordinator, Ms. Thalia Yaden ([email protected]).

The Radiation Oncology Program Committee will review all applications submitted. The program administrator will notify selected recipients of the two stipends. City of Hope Department of Radiation Oncology will award the scholarship during the last week of the student rotation. Please contact Dr. Arya Amini ([email protected]) or Ms. Thalia Yaden ([email protected]) for questions.