NORTHDIP postgraduate training program in radiation oncology
Curriculum and training objectives
NORTHDIP is a two (2) year advanced training program in radiation oncology for Clinical oncologists. At the end of the program the candidate should have scientifically based clinical proficiency in assessing and treating patients that need radiotherapy treatment. The program is held in English.
The overarching topics / training objectives for the program are
- “What the Physicist think that the Radiation Oncologist should know”. Physical aspects on radiotherapy. Dose planning, OAR and dose constraints. Basis in particle therapy. Advanced technology and Artificial Intelligence and radiotherapy – limitations, pros and cons.
- Practical implications of radiobiology (interruptions, hypofractionation, clinical trials), palliative and benign radiotherapy
- Adaptive radiotherapy, MR linacc treatment, particle therapy in the clinic
- Reirradiation, stereotactic radiotherapy, BCNU treatment.
- Candidates hold short presentations on relevant subjects. Lectures on how to initiate new studies and form Nordic research collaborations. How do we keep the network alive? Get involved in the NORTHDIP program for future candidates, mentorship?
There will also be a possibility for practical training in target delineation throughout the program by participating in an evaluation study in collaboration with Mvision.
Criteria for application
Upon entering the program, the candidates will already have completed specialist training in clinical oncology. Specialists that have worked less than five years in the radiotherapy departement will be favored. The aim is to include applicants from both university and non-university hospitals.
Each country has a National committee that will decide which candidates in their country, respectively, that are accepted. If a country does not fill its assigned course places, the Nordic steering committee will choose the most suitable candidate to fill the vacant spot.
All NORTHDIP members, including applicants, participants, and steering committee members are expected to maintain a high standard of personal conduct and to treat members and others with respect.
Course outline
The program consists of the following five components meshed with the overarching training
objectives described above:
- Clinical practice. During the program, the participant must work in a setting where they are regularly tasked with providing radiotherapy. This can be at institutions such as university clinics or regional general hospitals. It is important for the participant to have a written agreement with the employing department outlining their participation in the program as well as additional clinical, tutorial, and quality improvement work relevant to the program during the two years, including time to fullfil the required tasks and assignments.
- Directed self-study and distance learning activities. During the program the candidates are expected to cover the theoretical and practical training outlined in the training objectives (see above). The training objectives form the basis for what they are expected to know at the end of the two-year program, but candidates will enter the program with varying degrees of knowledge and experience within the field and will therefore have to choose how to focus their learning in order to achieve this goal.
The lectures and papers provided in the program will be based on best evidence as much as possible and on best practice where evidence is lacking. Through these lectures and gathering of evidence for various and wide-ranging topics, the candidates should as a group end up with a list of articles, guidelines, book chapters and lectures helping them to cover most or all of the topics in the curriculum and training objectives.The last residential course will also involve short presentations performed by the candidates. By sharing their learnings with all of the program candidates (and potentially a wider audience), the entire group is exposed to all the various topics in question, reducing the effort spent by each individual to cover the training objectives. - Residential courses. The residential courses, five of them in all (Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Iceland) tie the self-study and scientific projects together, allowing the candidates to meet up, build a network and share knowledge and experience. Each course is 3 days in duration and focuses on different aspects related to radiotherapy.
Certification
Upon completion of the program the participants will be granted the NORTHDIP Diploma.
Completion is dependent on participation in all parts of the program.
Economy
The NorthDip program is intended to be a not-for-profit program. Each country will supply fundings to cover part of the costs for their educational week, respectively. The cost of participation in the program amounts to:
- €3.500 which covers the educational program and residential courses (including meals and
accommodation). - Travel expenses are not included
- Payment is required before entering the program
HOW TO APPLY
The following documents must be submitted:
- a cover letter, describing your motivation for applying including level of experience in radiotherapy
- nomination letter and financial commitment from the employer including work hours to complete the course
- a signed application form
- the signed NORTHDIP contract
All documents should be put together in one single pdf file. The name of the file should clearly state the name of the applicant.
The application should be sent to jan.degerfelt@med.lu.se
Application deadline
February 1st, 2024.
Questions?
If you have any questions regarding the application, please contact the project coordinator,
jan.degerfelt@med.lu.se
