Medical Oncology Specialty Profile

Medical oncology is a subspecialty of internal medicine encompassing the investigation, diagnosis and management of people with cancer. Medical oncology is holistic in nature, rewarding and varied but can be emotionally demanding given the life threatening nature of many cancers. Medical oncologists are key members of a multidisciplinary team who care for cancer patients. It is therefore important that they have good communication skills and work well in a team. The three main forms of cancer treatments are surgery, radiation therapy and medications (such as chemotherapy or hormonal therapy). Medical oncologists are responsible for the medications used to treat cancer. They are often the patient’s primary physician and co-ordinate the involvement of other specialists. They work closely with radiation oncologists, surgeons, palliative care physicians, specialist oncology nurses, pharmacists, dieticians, physiotherapists and social workers. Treatments available for many cancers have improved dramatically over the past 30 years and new treatments are always being researched. For those patients in whom curative treatment has been unsuccessful, palliation of symptoms and good end of life care are regarded as integral parts of medical oncology.

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Medical Oncology Training Program

Training Program

After completing the basic physician training requirements set out by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), trainees may apply for advanced training in medical oncology. The advanced vocational training program in medical oncology is a minimum of 3 years... more

Application process

Selection into advanced training varies by state and region. Traditionally trainees have applied to individual hospitals for positions and then to the college for prospective approval. In recent times some specialty training bodies (Specialist Advisory Committees, or SACs) have introduced... more

Length of Training

The advanced training program is a minimum of 3 years full time or equivalent and can only be commenced after successful completion of at least 3 years of basic training.... more

Cost of Training

Annual fee: $1,198.00 Annual fee for trainees in full time research: $798.00 Fee for conditional approval (examination year): $599.00 Retrospective accreditation: $1,198.00 Fee for post FRACP training: $345.00 Continuation fee: $100.00 Application fee for Fellowship and Diploma: $798.00... more

Flexibility in Training

Training should normally be continuous. Trainees are required to spend a minimum of 12 months of core training at a site accredited for core medical oncology training in Australia or New Zealand. Proposals to undertake training overseas will be assessed... more

References

Requirements for Physician Training – Adult Medicine http://www.racp.edu.au/training/adult2003/index.htm Requirements for Advanced Training in Medical Oncology http://www.racp.edu.au/training/adult2003/advanced/vocational/oncology.htm The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Medical Specialty, Brian Freeman MD The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Medical Oncology, January 2006 http://www.moga.org.au/downloads/HITCHHIKERSGUIDE06.pdf London Deanery. Career –... more

Medical Oncology Case Study

Dr. Patricia Bastick

Dr. Patricia Bastick

Name: Dr. Patricia Bastick

Career stage: Registrar

Location: Sydney

Medical Specialty: Medical Oncology

What training program are you currently in?

I am completing my final year of Medical Oncology training, having started in 2005....

What attracted you to this training program?

I decided on physician training partly through exclusion, but also I found the specialties within physician training interesting. Early on in basic physician training, I thought I would do respiratory medicine. I had not had any exposure to Oncology, and was actually quite afraid of my lack of knowledge in the area! I finally decided in my first year as a medical registrar to request an Oncology term, mainly to allay my fears. Little did I know that I would find it so interesting, and be so ins...

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Medical Oncology Workplace

The workplace

Medical oncologists not only manage the symptoms related to the disease and treatment, but they also provide psychological support for patients and their families and maintain communications with other specialists involved in the patients’ management. Medical oncologists are involved in... more

The doctor-patient relationship

Medical oncologists may have contact with patients from a wide age range. They often build long-term relationships with patients and their families and provide hope and reassurance at a difficult time. This can be difficult emotionally, but is most often... more

Intellectual content

Medical oncology has a strong scientific and academic base and allows opportunities for research in training and lifelong as a consultant. A detailed knowledge of all the medical sciences is required, particularly physiology and pharmacology (especially the use and side... more

Medical indemnity

Use our risk category tool to assess this specialty.... more

Lifestyle and Practice Options

With more than 70,000 new cases of cancer (excluding non-melanocytic skin cancer) being diagnosed each year in Australia, medical oncologists are busy specialists whose patients require regular follow-up and assessment. Dealing with the hopes and expectations of patients and families,... more

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