Postgraduate Program

 

Postgraduate
..Medical Oncology Residency Program

 

 

Program Director

Dr. Kylea Potvin
790 Commissioners Road East
London, Ontario, Canada N6A 4L6
Phone:(519) 685-8600 Ext. 57433 
Fax: (519) 685-8739       Email: kylea.potvin@lhsc.on.ca

Residents and Fellows

Dr. S. Al-Asaaed - Clinical Fellow
Dr. I. Al-Rasheedy - PGY5 Resident
Dr. K. Lumsden - PGY5 Resident
Dr. A. Muinuddin - PGY5 Resident
Dr. M. Seitelbach - PGY4 Resident
Dr. J. Lenehan - PGY4 Resident

Medical Staff:
London Regional Cancer Program:

Dr. B. Dingle                     Dr. S. Ernst                               Dr. K. Hahn
Dr. W. Kocha                    Dr. D. Logan                             Dr. D.R. Macdonald
Dr. M. MacKenzie              Dr. K. Potvin                             Dr. M. Sanatani
Dr. T. Vandenberg            Dr. M. Vincent                          Dr. S. Welch
Dr. E. Winquist                 Dr. J. Younus                            Dr. S. Kuruvilla

 

Application and Appointment of Trainees

 

Applications are made to the Program Director through CaRMS for positions beginning July 1 of the following year.  The London Regional Cancer Program will hold their interviews on October 18, 2012.

Training Requirements for Entry into Program

 

Applicants should have completed an internship recognized by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. In addition, applicants must have completed three years of training in Internal Medicine under Section 2(a) of the Training Requirements in Internal Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. It should be noted that trainees are required to be certificated by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Internal Medicine in order to be eligible for the Certificate of Special Competence in Medical Oncology.

Program Objectives


Knowledge Base:

  1. Basic sciences of biology, biochemistry, cell kinetics, endocrinology, immunology and pharmacology as it relates to neoplastic diseases and their treatment.
  2. Epidemiology and biostatistics in relation to the neoplastic diseases.
  3. The conduct and analysis of clinical trials.
  4. The natural history, course and prognostic factors of neoplastic diseases.
  5. The utility of history, physical examination, pathological, laboratory and imaging procedures in the assessment of neoplastic diseases.
  6. The indications, use, complications and prognostic influence of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy in the treatment of neoplastic diseases.
  7. The management of oncological emergencies and complications of both the neoplastic diseases and their treatment.
  8. The nutritional needs and means for alimentation of patients with malignant diseases.


Skills:
The trainee will demonstrate the following skills:

  1. An ability to utilize clinical examination and appropriate investigations to determine the identity, extent and complications of malignant diseases.
  2. An ability to formulate an appropriate treatment plan for all patients with neoplastic diseases.
  3. An ability to interact with other specialties in the determination of the optimal treatment plan.
  4. An ability to utilize the literature and consultation in order to plan the best approach for the management of rare malignancies.
  5. An ability to deal with the psychosocial aspects of patient care as well as the ability to communicate the nature, treatment and prognosis to patients and their families.
  6. The trainee will acquire and be able to demonstrate a proficiency in the following procedures:

    thoracocentesis - diagnostic and therapeutic.
    abdominal paracentesis - diagnostic and therapeutic.
    bone marrow aspiration and biopsy.
    lumbar puncture and intrathecal therapy.
    indirect laryngoscopy.
    proctosigmoidoscopy.
    insertion of venous catheters.
    management of venous access devices.

Structure and Duration of Program

The program consists of three-month rotations, during which a trainee will be generally assigned to two medical oncologists having primary responsibility for treatment in specific organ sites.

These sites are partitioned into neuro-oncology, head and neck, and thoracic oncology for one period; breast, gynecological, genitourinary oncology for the second period; GI tract malignancies, sarcomas, melanomas and other malignancies for the third period. During the first year there is also a three-month rotation through radiation oncology at the London Regional Cancer Program. During the second year there is a three-month rotation in hematology. A further three months of clinical oncology are performed in the second year and six months are available as an elective. This includes further clinical oncology, pediatric oncology, basic research, and further experience in radiation therapy. A substantial proportion of the training is done in outpatient areas at the London Regional Cancer Program.

For trainees eligible for qualification in hematology, a one-year program is available that includes nine months of clinical medical oncology and a three-month rotation in radiation therapy.

Trainees will be expected to actively participate in clinical rounds, grand rounds, conferences, seminars and journal clubs. Trainees will also be expected to attend a program on basic science concepts in oncology during one of their training years.  This is in addition to the schedule academic half-days.