Residents must first consider whether the patient has been adequately diagnosed and evaluated for extent of disease. Therapeutic alternatives are considered before radiation therapy is decided upon as the most appropriate form of treatment for the patient. Once a treatment decision has been reached and approved by the attending, the resident is primarily responsible for the treatment planning process and for the evaluation of the patient's progress during treatment. The attendings become the consultants but they remain in full contact with progress made and clinical status of the patients under their care. This increased responsibility is true of third and fourth year residents as well, especially during their tour through the VAH where they function semi-independently.
Radiation oncology remains largely an out-patient serve.
Guest radiobiologists are frequently invited for special lectures and seminars. Trainees are required to complete one clinical project and one either radiation physics or radiobiology before completion of training. These projects have been of high quality, and most have been published. Some residents may spend their elect5ive time working in one of the department research laboratories. This is an example of the flexibility of the program to accommodate the academic career of the individual trainees.