Radiation Oncology
Impressive Results in a Difficult Year Chief Censor in Radiation Oncology
Dr Yaw Chin
The 2021 New Year has kicked off with hope and optimism; the hope that the COVID-19 vaccines developed will reduce the number of infections and ease the social restrictions that have impacted every facet of our lives. However, it is unclear when the timelines for this to occur will actually come to fruition this year. With this uncertainty in mind, we cautiously plan and organise for this year’s activities, recognising that there are still many potential roadblocks ahead as demonstrated by the recent snap lockdowns. As previously communicated, the results of the 2020 Phase 1 examinations were released on 15 December 2020. At the Board of Examiners meeting, 28 out of 35 candidates who presented satisfied all requirements and passed the Phase 1 examinations. Three further candidates were offered supplementary viva examinations in Anatomy. These were conducted virtually on 27 January 2021 and all three candidates were successful in that sitting. This gave the final overall pass rate of 89 per cent. The results of the 2020 Phase 2 examinations were released one month later, on 15 January 2021. The breakdown of pass rates according to the individual papers are as follows: Writtens Radiation Therapy Clinical Oncology Pathology
85.7 per cent 92.9 per cent 82.3 per cent
Vivas Planning Patients and Prompts Pathology
95.8 per cent 100 per cent 92.3 per cent
This gives an overall pass rate for Radiation Therapy, Clinical Oncology and Pathology of 81 per cent. The passing rates for both phases are among the highest rates in recent years and is a testament to our trainees’ strength and resilience in navigating through what has been a most arduous and stressful year. Correspondingly, immense gratitude and congratulations
“The passing rates for both phases are among the highest rates in recent years and is a testament to our trainees’ strength and resilience in navigating through what has been a most arduous and stressful year. ” go out to both Phase 1 and Phase 2 examination teams, who have demonstrated an incredible amount of patience, flexibility and fortitude as they contend with a multitude of changes, often with very little notice provided. The achievement of delivering these examinations under extremely difficult and trying circumstances is applaudable and specific acknowledgment goes out to Dr Sean Brennan as Chief of Examinations and Drs Claire Hardie and Carminia Lapuz as Phase 1
examination leads. My heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all three individuals as they step down from their respective roles and move on to bigger and better endeavours. The Phase 1 examination date for 2021 has now been set for Friday 10 September 2021 and will be aligned with the current paper-based examination format. All going well, the examinations will continue to take place at one central training site/location per training network, with contingency plans in place, taking into account potential lockdowns. Following the recent Board of Examiners meeting, the Phase 2 examination timelines have also been confirmed to occur in line with previous years’ Series 2 examinations with the written component to be delivered in July and the viva voce component in August. This allows maximum time to plan for the 2021 examination series and minimum disruption to the 2022 examinations, which will revert to being delivered twice per annum. In order to mitigate the risks caused by potential border and travel restrictions, the Education and Training Committee (ETC) has decided that the viva voce component of the 2021 Phase 2 examinations will continue to be delivered in a virtual format, with no live patients required for the patient/prompt-based questions. Again, the plan is for these to occur at one central training site/ location per training network, with contingency plans in place, taking into account potential lockdowns. continued over... Volume 17 No 2 I March 2021
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