RANZCR: Radiation Oncology Trainee Matters

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR)

Inside News March 2020

Welcome to the new clinical year, especially to the first-year trainees who have come on board one of the most exciting and cutting-edge training programs! Firstly, I would like to thank the 2019 Radiation Oncology Trainee Committee (ROTC) whom I had the honour and opportunity to work with, for all their hard work over the last 12 months, especially with the Australian Medical Council reaccreditation process and in preparation for the Training and Assessment Reform (TAR) implementation.

I would also like to introduce the enthusiastic fresh faces in the ROTC for 2020, who will bring along new ideas, and hopefully as a group we can contribute towards ongoing improvement of the radiation oncology training experience for all. The primary goal of the ROTC is to represent and advocate for all radiation oncology trainees. So, if you have any suggestions or ideas of how the ROTC can make things better, feel free to reach out to myself (weeloonong@cantab.net) or trainee representatives in your respective network.

Unfortunately, we are now faced with a global outbreak of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Amidst escalating concerns on COVID-19 in Australasia in the recent weeks, the College through the COVID-19 College Taskforce has made a difficult but necessary decision to defer the upcoming radiation oncology Phase 2 Series 1 clinical exams. This undoubtedly affects plans and arrangements in the post-exams period, and we as the ROTC deeply empathise with all our affected fellow trainees. However, the health and safety of everyone involved in the examination process (including exams candidates, examiners, administrative staff, and volunteer patients) is of key priority. Plans for other Collegerelated activities in the coming months, including exams preparation courses, are currently under review, and updates will be provided accordingly.

COVID-19 aside, ROTC will continue to improve our communication with all trainees through our monthly eNewsletter. This is high on the ROTC priority list this year. We hope to continue to provide timely updates on ongoing workshops, as well as training and research opportunities. I am sure trainees who have attended the SMART workshop at the recent ‘virtual’ TROG ASM have found it to be an educational session. A major upcoming college event is the ASM in October; the deadline for abstract submission, as well as several other college research prizes/ grants, is in April.

Lastly, I hope for a great year ahead for all trainees in continuing to progress with contouring, improving on plan evaluation skills, preparing for exams, and working on research projects amongst other things. However, in the coming months, it is most important that everyone stays well, and practice necessary social distancing and hand hygiene, in our collective effort to ‘flatten the curve’!

Dr Wee Loon Ong Chair, ROTC 2020