Didactics Curriculum for Radiation Oncology Residency

This course provides instruction in principles of medical physics for the safe, effective, and efficient delivery of radiation treatments. This includes instruction in the physics of radiosurgery, intraoperative radiation therapy, 3D conformal treatment planning and delivery, IMRT, radioimmunotherapy, unsealed sources, total body irradiation as used in stem-cell transplantation, total skin irradiation, high- and low-dose rate brachytherapy, hyperthermia, kilovoltage irradiation, plaque therapy, particle therapy, radiation safety procedures, calibration of radiation therapy machines, the use of state-of-the-art treatment planning systems, the construction of treatment aids, and the safe handling of sealed and unsealed radionuclides. The course will also prepare residents for the ABR written board examination in Medical Physics.

This course includes instruction in the basic sciences essential to radiation and cancer biology, in classical and molecular effects of ionizing radiation, radiation effects on normal and neoplastic tissues, cancer biology associated with different radiation techniques (including 3D external beam radiation, IMRT, radiosurgery, brachytherapy, total body radiation, hyperthermia, high and low dose brachytherapy), as well as the fundamental biology of the causes, prevention, and treatment of cancer. Residents will be able to apply this knowledge in the selection of safe and effective treatments for patients. Residents will be prepared for the board certification examination in Radiation Oncology.

As a resident, you serve a vital role assisting in the training of Baylor medical students. To develop your skills as a clinical teacher, Baylor offers a core “Residents as Teacher” curriculum to all residents.