Radiation Oncology

Welcome to Queen's Radiation Oncology

The Radiation Oncology program is a comprehensive five-year residency training program dedicated to the training of exceptional Radiation Oncologists. We are a fully accredited program by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, focused on providing a high standard of patient care, knowledge and skills, necessary for our graduates to function independently as competent generalists in Radiation Oncology.

 

Our program is structured to offer one-on-one clinical rotations, supported by site and rotation-specific clinical objectives. There is a systematic approach to resident evaluation based on these objectives.  The Radiation Oncology program at Queen's has the advantage of being a small program with a 1:1 of residents to staff radiation oncologists.  Residents who choose to come to our program quickly realize that they are being welcomed into our family which exists in an extremely friendly and supportive environment.  Our staff are committed to educating and nurturing each resident to achieve their full potential with a thorough preparedness for the RCPSC examination. Queen’s University PGME is strongly committed to diversity and inclusion within its community for these reasons as well as being part of the solution to address historic and contemporary inequities.

 

We welcome enquiries from prospective residents and I look forward to hearing from you.

 

Martin Korzeniowski, MD, FRCPC

Program Director

 

Program Overview

 

The Queen’s University Radiation Oncology residence training program has fully transitioned and immersed in Competency Based Medical Education as of July 2017. Resident training is divided into 5 distinct stages: Transition to Discipline, where residents are introduced to the basics of the Discipline and familiarize themselves with Kingston Health Sciences; Foundations, where residents obtain a core knowledge and skillset in medicine and surgery; Core, where residents obtain training related to Radiation Oncology; and finally transition to practice, where residents prepare for independent practice or fellowship. Training is assessed through a series of entrustable professional activities (EPAs) based on required competencies for each stage. These EPAs will create targeted learning outcomes and involve frequent, formative assessments within the clinical workplace to ensure residents are developing and receiving feedback on the skills they require. Throughout their training, residents will receive regular, timely feedback on their performance in order to help accelerate their learning.

 

Further information on CBD can be found on the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada website at: CBD implementation

Electives

 

We recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted candidates’ opportunities to arrange and complete electives and would like to reassure you that a lack of elective activity this year will not negatively impact your application to our program.

EDIIA Institutional Statement:

The goal of resident selection is to identify trainees likely to succeed both in training and, once out in practice, in meeting the health care needs of patients and Canadian society.  We know that having a physician workforce that reflects the demographics of the patients that they serve improves health care outcomes.  There are many populations within Canada under-represented in medicine (UIM) with a paucity of health care practitioners who are Black, Indigenous, Persons of Colour, 2SLGBTQ+, from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and/or with disabilities. Diversity within training programs has also been shown to improve training environments.  Queen’s University PGME is strongly committed to diversity and inclusion within its community for these reasons as well as being part of the solution to address historic and contemporary inequities.

 

Admission to Radiation Oncology

Admission to the Radiation Oncology Program at Queen’s University is coordinated through the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) main residency match.  For the most current information about timelines and prerequisites, please refer to the CaRMS website.

Positions Available
Approximate Quota:  2
Selection Criteria
 Candidates with the following attributes will be considered favorably:
  • An excellent academic record
  • Knowledge of and prior interest in radiation oncology
  • Strong Communication and interpersonal skills
  • Demonstrated interest in scholarly activity including research and education
  • A personal letter is mandatory, highlighting interest in Radiation Oncology at Queen's University
  • Reference letters should demonstrate the following:
    • interest in Radiation Oncology
    • strength in clinical skills, knowledge and problem-solving abilities
    • communication and ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team environment
    • dedication, strong work ethic, personal character and integrity
We do not require applicants to do on site electives to be considered for selection
Supporting Documentation
  • Medical School Transcript - Order from your Registrar
  • Medical Student Performance Record - Order from your Dean's Office
  • Three reference letters are required.  Letters must be from staff. Reference letters from Radiation Oncologists are preferred, but not required. More than three letters may be submitted but the total value given for the reference letters does not change.
  • A personal letter is required. Topics to be covered include: personal strengths and weaknesses, career goals if known, and reasons for choosing this program.

Educational Activities

Numerous educational opportunities are available for residents.  A weekly Academic Half Day is mandatory and residents are relieved of their clinical responsibilities during this time.  These half-days include a core seminar series in clinical oncology and radiation treatment planning, as well as surgical oncology, medical oncology, diagnostic imaging and pathology in addition to sessions aimed at competencies related to the other CanMEDS roles.

Other didactic teaching includes comprehensive formal teaching in basic sciences (physics and radiobiology).  Weekly physics sessions are given according to a two year repeating curriculum which is taught by senior physicists in the department.  Courses in statistics and clinical trials are given and enrollment in graduate courses is available.

Residents attend journal club with staff oncologists, helping to reinforce critical appraisal skills and new evidence in Radiation Oncology.  Regular interdisciplinary clinical conferences take place covering all major tumor sites several times each week.  Residents also attend and are regularly required to present at the Department of Oncology weekly Grand Rounds and the weekly Division of Radiation Oncology Continuing Medical Education rounds.

Research

One of the strong assets if the research component of the program is access to several internationally renowned cancer research groups based at the Queen’s Cancer Research Institute (QCRI).  Several members of these groups are also members of the Radiation Oncology division.

The program is committed to providing a wide range of research opportunities for residents.  A research mentor is assigned on entry into the program and residents are expected to have at least one research project underway by the second year and expected to complete a research project during their training period.

The Division of Cancer Care and Epidemiology (CCE) at QCRI is a cancer health services research unit comprised of clinician-scientists, epidemiologists and biostatisticians.  This multidisciplinary research group evaluates access to cancer service, the management and outcome of cancer in the general population, and public policy related to cancer prevention and treatment.

The Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG) is a national research group that develops, conducts and analyses multi-institutional trails of cancer therapy.  Residents are encouraged to participate in the clinical research activities and meetings of the CCTG.  This Queen’s University-based group is internationally recognized for its expertise in the design, conduct and analysis of Phase I, II and III clinical studies.  The group has extensive experience in research pertaining to quality of life, clinical trials methodology and the economic analysis of cancer therapies.  Members of this group participate in the clinical and educational activities of the Cancer Centre and are a willing resource for residents.