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SMART Workshop Wrap Up
The 2016 Faculty of Radiation Oncology
Statistical Methods, Evidence Appraisal
and Research for Trainees (SMART)
Workshop was held on Monday 14
March at the Brisbane Convention
and Exhibition Centre to coincide with
the Trans Tasman Radiation Oncology
Group (TROG) Annual Scientific
Meeting.
The annual workshop is aimed at Post
Phase 1 Exam radiation oncology
trainees and is designed around
eight short didactic presentations by
biostatisticians followed by interactive
sessions during which groups of five to
seven trainees are guided by radiation
oncologist facilitators. This year’s
workshop saw 26 trainees attend from
across Australia and New Zealand.
The workshop was facilitated by the
following statisticians and radiation
oncologists: Prof Val Gebski, Ms Kristy
Mann, Ms Lucy Davies, Dr Renee
Finnigan, Dr Brigid Hickey, Dr Puma
Sundaresan, Dr David Pryor, Dr Rahul
Mukherjee, Dr Giuseppe Sasso, Prof
Geoff Delaney and international guest
speaker from the USA, Dr Antonio Fojo.
Trainees were encouraged to stay for the
TROG ASM to see their new knowledge
‘in action’ in subsequent clinical trials
and to assist in cementing research
career aspirations. Trainees attending
the SMART Workshop had access to a
discounted registration rate to attend
the TROG ASM, with TROG generously
providing five $1,000 grants to support
RANZCR trainee attendance at the 2016
FRO SMART Workshop and ASM.
Workshop Convenor Dr Renee Finnigan
would like to thank sponsor Astra Zeneca
for their generous support, and also
extend thanks to the statisticians,
radiation oncologists and College
staff for their time in order to run the
program.
Trainees are reminded that 10 SMART
points can be claimed for first time
attendance at this interactive workshop.
The SMART Workshop will be held again
at the 2017 TROG ASM on Monday
6 March at the ANZ Viaduct Events
Centre, Auckland, New Zealand. Details
will be available via the College website
or by emailing the Conferences and
Events Team at
Trainees Learn to “Stay Calm
and….” at the Faculty of
Radiation Oncology Phase 2 Exam
Preparation Course
The Phase 2 Exam Preparation Course
was held from 13 to 15 May at Rydges
World Square, Sydney, NSW. The annual
course is designed for trainees as they
approach exam readiness, with this year
hosting 28 trainees over the three-day
event.
The Friday program focused on
demystifying the Phase 2 exams, with
presentations from both an examiner’s
and trainee’s perspective on passing the
examinations, as well as the practicalities
of the exam process. The program also
concentrated on developing strategies
to cope with exam stress and ensure
trainees perform to the best of their
abilities. Special guest speakers Dr
Susan Johnson, clinical psychologist,
and Dr Paul Heinrich, a professional
actor with a PhD in Theatre and Drama,
provided expert views on managing
exam anxiety and performing on
the day. Breathing exercises and the
mantra of “stay calm and…” taught by
Dr Heinrich was sound advice for the
trainees as they mentally prepared for
the mock exams on Saturday.
Saturday’s program simulated sitting
the viva exam, with trainees allotted
to streams and rotated through seven
exam stations receiving feedback
immediately afterwards. The course
wrapped up on Sunday with practice
written questions across all papers
followed by workshopping the answers
with the Phase 2 examiners.
It wasn’t all work and no play over the
three days though. Trainees, facilitators
and sponsors came together in an
informal setting on the Friday night to
RANZCR Courses
and Workshops
Phase 2 Exam Preparation Course