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 (2000) |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
Residents |
|
80 |
|
30th term (third year): |
19 |
|
|
31st term (second year): |
29 |
|
|
32nd term (first year): |
32 |
|
|
Chief residents |
|
20 |
|
10th term (second year): |
11 |
|
|
11th term (first year): |
9 |
|
(T. KOSUGE)
