Radiation Oncology
An introductory course to radiation oncology for Transition to Clinical Practice (TCP) students launched in 2019. The TCP component of the curriculum aims to help students transition from principally class-based learning to active and self-directed learning in the clinical setting. Clinical disciplines highlighted in TCP include Internal Medicine, Neurology, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery, Anesthesia, Radiology and Ophthalmology.
The radiation oncology session takes place during the Internal Medicine block of TCP and consists of an introductory lecture, a clinical apprenticeship experience for one half-day clinic, and optional attendance of a Multidisciplinary Tumour Board Conference. Students are divided between the MUHC and JGH teaching sites. The session is scheduled either in the first or last week of the 8-week block.
The objectives of the session are: “By the end of the session, students should be able to give an overview of what radiation oncology is to a patient that would be referred to such a clinic. Students should also be able to explain to a patient in a nutshell the process to expect (evaluation by an interdisciplinary team, tumor board discussion to plan the treatment approach, etc.). (MCC objectives 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.4, 4.1, 5.1)”
MCC: Medical Council of Canada
Medical Oncology
The objective of the medical oncology component is to give Clerkship students the opportunity to understand the challenges of caring for people with cancer. This component is comprised of two academic half-days and two half-day rotations in an outpatient clinic in medical oncology.
1. Two Academic Half-days
Specific objectives
- To understand and recognize common clinical presentations of cancer
- To understand basic principles in interpreting and utilizing imaging and pathological data
- To learn the basic principles of treatment of cancer
- To learn the major side effects of cancer treatment and their management
- To learn the major symptoms caused by cancer, and their management
- To understand the role of multidisciplinary work in the diagnosis and management of cancer
- To recognize and manage common oncologic emergencies
Topics - First Academic Half-Day (3 hours)
- Abnormalities- Mediastinal Mass-Lymphadenopathy
- Abdominal Mass
- Cancer Pain Management
Topics - Second Academic Half-Day (3 hours)
- Introduction to Oncology
- Emergencies in Oncology
2. Two Half-Day Rotations in Outpatient Clinic in Medical Oncology
Specific objectives
- To understand and recognize common clinical presentations of cancer
- To understand basic principles in interpreting and utilizing imaging and pathological data
- To learn the basic principles of treatment of cancer
- To learn the major side effects of cancer treatment and their management
- To learn the major symptoms caused by cancer, and their management
- To refine the communication skills necessary to interact with oncology patients
- To learn the basis of giving bad news to patients
- To observe the activities of an oncologist in the clinic
- To attend tumour boards and understand the role of multidisciplinary work in the diagnosis and management of cancer
- To understand the trajectory of patients in oncology
UGME-Oncology Program Director
valerie.panet-raymond [at] mcgill.ca (Dr. Valerie Panet-Raymond)
Tel: 514-934-1934 x48040