Inside News

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Volume 12 No 3 I June 2016 47
Radiation Oncology
Chief Censor in
Radiation Oncology
The first half of 2016 has a seen lot of
activity on the education, assessment
and accreditation front.
Exam and Assessment Review
In early February a planning day was
held to inform representative Fellows
involved in training, examination and
assessment activities of the findings
of and recommendations from the
Australian Council for Educational
Research (ACER)/Professor Prideaux
Review. It was pleasing to note
that the findings of the review were
positive, but areas for refinement were
identified. Accordingly, with particular
reference to the Phase I and Phase 2
examinations, plans have been made for
representatives from the ACER team to
lend their expertise during the regular
exam writing workshops. Professor
Prideaux’s recommendations centred
around the introduction of programmatic
approach to teaching and assessment
with particular emphasis on anatomy,
contouring and plan evaluation. Work on
this element is anticipated to commence
in the latter half of this year.
In March, the SMART workshop was
held prior to the Trans Tasman Radiation
Oncology Group meeting. This
workshop was, once again, well attended
with 26 participants involved. I would
particularly like to thank the organisers,
faculty and facilitators for their
commitment to making this workshop
such a success.
In April, the Phase 2 exam series was
held in Wellington. Hosting an exam
series can be disruptive for a department
but an ‘exit’ exam is an essential
component in our Fellowship program
and I am very thankful to Dr Carol
Johnson for agreeing to hold the series
in Wellington. I would especially like to
thank the local Co-Directors of Training,
Dr Anna Nicholson and Dr Nichola
Naidoo, for giving up so much of their
time to assist in ensuring the series ran
very smoothly.
In terms of accreditation, A/Prof Phil
Yuile tendered his resignation from the
role of Chief Accreditation Officer (CAO)
at the February Radiation Oncology
Education and Training Committee
meeting. On behalf of the Specialty
Training Unit, I would like to thank A/Prof
Yuile for his commitment to this position.
All who had the pleasure of working
with him admired the sincerity, calmness
and common sense he brought to the
role. Dr John Leung has now stepped in
to fill the role of CAO and since taking
up this position has overseen a review
of the Accreditation Standards and
commenced the first of many planned
accreditation visits.
One of those visits was to the National
University Cancer Institute in Singapore
in April, which has two radiation
oncology campuses—the National
University Hospital Medical Centre and
the Tan Tock Seng Hospital, currently
with five accredited trainees, rotating
between the two sites. Singaporean
trainees also rotate to Australian and
New Zealand centres. The accreditation
team would especially like to thank the
Head of Department, Dr Ivan Tham and
the Director of Training, Dr Jeremy Tey
for the warm reception we received.
The first half of 2016 has also seen the
appointment of Mr Chris Bartley as
Trainee Liaison Project Officer. Chris’ role
and the skills he brings to this role are
outlined in his profile in this edition of
Inside News on page 36.
Finally, education and assessment
activities are fundamental aspects of the
work of the College. These activities are
numerous and their success dependent
on the involvement, commitment and
hard work of volunteer Fellows. I would
like to extend my sincere thanks to
all those involved in these important
College activities and encourage others
to consider becoming involved.
A/Prof Margot Lehman
If you would like further information
on any of the above topics, please
contact the Specialty Training Unit
on