Learning Objectives:
The student will experience the fundamentals of the field of radiation oncology: clinical care, physics and radiobiology. This will be accomplished through patient contact in the consultation and treatment setting, the treatment planning phase and daily treatments. Students may also have the opportunity to further improve the following skills: physical exam, medical history, documentation of the clinical encounter and pain management. Basic sciences of physics and biology, as well as fundamental radiobiology will be wed in the course and how they apply to the clinical setting.

Methods:
Rotating students will be assigned to a different attending physician each week. The medical student will shadow an attending physician-resident team to gain knowledge of the basic discipline of radiation oncology, attend related multidisciplinary conferences, and participate in patient consultations, weekly treatment examinations and follow-ups.

Students should spend time in the treatment planning area (dosimetry and physics) as well as at the treatment machines to understand the full spectrum of the field. Students are expected to attend the new patient conference, chart rounds, resident didactic sessions and multidisciplinary conferences in which the attending physician participates. A schedule will be provided on the first day.

Required Reading Material: None

Recommended Reading Material: Introduction to Clinical Radiation Oncology (Coia, Lawrence R. and Moylan, David J.)

Length of Rotation: 4 weeks
Medical students will rotate at the following locations: Karmanos Gershenson Radiation Oncology Center and DMC's Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital in order to provide sufficient exposure to practices and faculty.

Work Schedule:
The student will assume the normal work schedule of the radiation oncologist to whom they are assigned. Schedules are five days per week with a typical day will beginning between 7 and 8 a.m., and extending between 5 and 6 p.m.

Deliverables:
Each student will present a seminar on one particular cancer and the role of radiation therapy for that cancer. The presentation will be scheduled at the end of the rotation. The chief resident will need to be engaged to mentor the seminar subject and style.

Evaluation:
Students will be evaluated on observed skills, including patient interaction, communication with patients and their families, amongst peers and with members of the patient care team.

Printable Version: Medical Student (3rd and 4th year) Rotations