Residents
The training course for residents
is divided into two categories. One is a 3-year course for physicians and
surgeons who have 3-5 years of clinical experience as generalists. This course
is designed to train clinicians who have general knowledge about oncology
treatment techniques. In 1999, the maximum number of new residents for each
year was increased from 20 to 30, reflecting a nationwide need for physicians
and surgeons specializing in the care of cancer patients. In general, they
spend one year rotating among divisions related to imaging diagnosis, pathology,
and critical care medicine to obtain wide basic knowledge and to learn the
techniques specific to clinical oncology. The remaining two years are used
for rotation among the clinical units that are closely related to each physician's
major field. For example, trainees in surgical oncology rotate to all the
organ-specific units of the Surgical Department, focusing on training in specialized
surgical technique, perioperative management, and policies for decision making
regarding treatment. For those in medical oncology, we have begun a new training
program more oriented to general oncology than the previous one was.
The other category is the chief
resident course, which provides advanced training designed to develop leading
clinical oncologists in specific fields. Up to 10 trainees with 5-10 years
of clinical experience, most of it following graduation from the resident
course, take this program every year. They spend the first year as chief residents
of specific clinical units. This category of our training program is more
specialized by organs or diseases than that for residents. Chief residents
work as coordinators of staff, residents, and patients and are responsible
for the clinical practices of the team. The second year is devoted to clinical
or basic research. The Research Institute provides an opportunity for participants
to pursue basic research at their request.
The following table shows the
residents currently working at our institution. They are the backbone of our
clinical activities.
|
Number
of Residents Trained (1999) |
||
|
Total |
||
|
Residents |
59 |
|
|
29th term (third year): |
21 |
|
|
30th term (second year): |
19 |
|
|
31st term (first year): |
29 |
|
|
Chief residents |
21 |
|
|
9th term (second year): |
10 |
|
|
10th term (first year): |
11 |
|
(T.
KOSUGE)
