Program Overview

Program Overview

The Therapeutic Medical Physics Residency program is operated under Graduate Medical Education (GME), a joint office between the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and the University of Cincinnati Medical Center (UCMC). The program resides within the Department of Radiation Oncology of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.

Program Structure

• The clinical training program spans 24 months, from July 1st through June 30th, second year.
• By the end of the first year, the Physics Resident is expected to function as a Junior Physicist, with the ability to perform quality assurance tests, patient QA, monitor unit and dose calculations, conventional and IMRT/VMAT treatment planning, radiation safety procedures, and brachytherapy physics procedures and planning.
• By the completion of the two-year term, the physics resident is expected to be able to perform all radiation oncology physics functions, including full calibrations of treatment machines, checks of dosimetry work (treatment plans, etc.), weekly electronic chart reviews including delivery and imaging for patients, radiation safety procedures, clinical consultations, and patient-related dosimetry.

Program Evaluation

• Clinical practice is evaluated through the Modules guidelines that follow individual clinical rotations, in which specific work is completed and reviewed by mentors, as well as the response to questions in the Modules and periodic (2-3 weeks interval), comprehensive oral evaluations with the physics staff.
• The modules were created to comply with CAMPEP Residency Standards, and the AAPM TG249 Report was used as a guide to develop the modules.
• Resident progress is reviewed within the Physics Residency Steering Committee.
• Residents are monitored through the program by the assigned faculty for each clinical rotation.
• Meetings every six weeks between the physics resident, Program Director, and assigned faculty for the current rotation are meant to discuss problems related to resident training.

Program Completion and Evaluation

• Near the end of each year of their training, the resident is given an oral examination.
• If the resident does not pass the exam, the resident is placed on probation.
• During that period, the resident is assigned to the area(s) of demonstrated weakness.
• At the end of the probation period, the oral exam is to be repeated.
• If the resident does not pass this second oral exam, the resident is terminated from the Residency Program.

Program Review and Modification

• Training program review is an ongoing task and the responsibility of the Program Director and the Physics Residency Committee.
• The training essentials and clinical physics modules, and rotations are reviewed on a rolling schedule, where the resident is given the opportunity to do remedial didactic or clinical work.
• If changes are needed to meet the needs of the Program, then the Physics Residency Program Director targets the appropriate faculty for that task.
• Modifications require submission by the faculty to and subsequent approval by the Physics Residency Committee and/or Program Director.