Oncology Services - Residency Program
Objectives
- To provide non-degree, post-doctoral training in oncology
- To provide the resident the opportunity to participate in the clinical training of DVM students in the principles and applications of clinical oncology
- To prepare the Resident for the Certification Examination of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
- To provide the Resident with a broad overview of clinical and research priorities in veterinary oncology.
Justification
Oncology is the most recently recognized specialty of Internal Medicine under the umbrella of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Advances made in diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancer in human medicine have also influenced the practice of veterinary medicine, encouraging specialization. Further, new understandings of etiology and pathogenesis of cancer have emerged from laboratories, and many of the mechanisms underlying cancer in experimental animals and human patients are known or suspected to be operative in domestic animals with cancer as well. There are great opportunities for veterinarians with specialized training in oncology at this time in private practice, academic hospitals, industry and research laboratories-it is clear that the current training programs are not adequately filling the available posts. The program outlined here stresses clinical patient management, but encourages investigation into more fundamental processes in oncology. The clinical training program is designed to prepare the resident for a variety of opportunities in the work place.
Qualifications Required of Applicants
Applicants must have a DVM or equivalent degree and must have completed a one-year internship or comparable program of post-graduate training in veterinary practice.
Description of Training
Duration The duration of the program is 3 years. Renewal for the second and years is contingent upon satisfactory performance during the first year of the residency program. At the completion of the program, the resident may be able to continue in a Master of Science or PhD training program, or as a post-doctoral fellow, in an area of interest. Funding for such a program is secured through extramural grant requests and is not a part of the residency training program.
First Year Program
- The first year of the residency program is dedicated to service in the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. Residents will have primary case responsibility, under the supervision of the third year resident and faculty members, and will develop an understanding of concepts underlying medical management of companion animals with cancer. This will include management of routine (non-referred) cases, but primary emphasis will be on referred patients, including both secondary and tertiary referrals. Patient case load reflects animals with cancer of all sites, allowing broad exposure to both routine and unusual cancer patients. The resident will gain experiences with diagnosis and treatment of animals with cancer, utilizing the full range of capabilities in a large, well equipped, modern veterinary teaching hospital.
- Residents will develop skills in evaluating diagnostic images (radiographs; CT and MRI; ultrasound; nuclear medicine), and cytologic and histologic interpretations. Residents will learn principles of radiation oncology, including radiation physics, treatment planning and applications. Residents will develop experiences in collaborations regarding cancer patient management with internists, radiation and surgical oncologists.
- Residents will have the opportunity to develop teaching skills and will have a major role as clinical instructors. This will be performed, in part, by assisting in the tutorial support of senior veterinary students and conducting clinical rounds. Experience lecturing to small groups will be provided in the seminar/rounds format. Residents will receive assistance and guidance in the preparation and delivery of lectures and research papers.
- Residents will develop the ability to critically evaluate veterinary and comparative literature, and will obtain the broad scientific base which is critical to understanding problems in veterinary oncology. The resident will be encouraged to use the medical library and computer-assisted learning programs, and to attend as many relevant seminars as possible within the school. A trip to a major meeting such as the Annual Conference of the Veterinary Cancer Society or the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum is encouraged, and partial financial assistance may be provided from resident training funds to defray costs. Opportunities to hear research presentations at the UCD Cancer Center in the School of Medicine will be arranged. When scheduling trips to meetings, priority is given to second year residents, or those presenting scientific data in the form of lectures, abstract presentation or poster.
- Residents share out-of-hours emergency duty on a rotational basis
Second and Third Year Program
- Duties in the VMTH will be similar to the first year, but with increasing responsibility for clinical instruction of DVM students both on the hospital floor and in group settings in the classroom. The third year residents will have some supervisory responsibility for first-year residents. The second and third year residents will have 2 and 3 months respectively of out-of-clinics professional development time for research, other hospital rotations and studying in addition to the scheduled vacation time. Professional development time will allow the resident to complete projects and prepare for ACVIM board examinations. The nature and amount of time spent on hospital rotations outside the oncology service will be assigned and tailored to individual needs and interests of the resident. These rotations might include dedicated time in Internal Medicine, Clinical Pathology, Anatomic Pathology, Radiology, Neurology, Dermatology, Cardiology or the research laboratory. Outside rotation in a human Cancer Center might be arranged.
- Residents will develop expertise in one or more areas of oncology. Residents will be expected to attend and participate in seminars and conferences organized toward their areas of special interest. Guidance in the development of a special interest will be coordinated by the Service Chief or another faculty member with allied interests.
- The second year resident is required to develop a project, with a clinical or laboratory-based research theme, aimed at satisfying the requirements of the Residency for research presentation at the Annual House Officer Seminar, and at the Annual Conference of the Veterinary Cancer Society. The resident is encouraged to finish the project with a manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed journal, to allow completion of the publication requirement for certification in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Specialty of Oncology.
- Residents share out-of-hours emergency duty on a rotational basis.
Residents will share general hospital after hours/weekend emergency on a rotational basis. When on call for duties in the Oncology Service, the resident must be accessible by pager or phone and remain within a reasonable distance of the VMTH so that when contacted he or she can respond to the VMTH in person when needed. Residents will be available to perform specific oncologic procedures and assist with antineoplastic drug preparation for administration. Other duties should not be scheduled which conflict with on call duties.
The VMTH is committed to building strong relationships with its constituents. A major part of the resident's duties, therefore, includes timely communication with referring veterinarians and clients.
Selection will be made in accordance with the guidelines of the Veterinary Internship/Residency Matching Program. For application procedures, salary and benefits, and other information about the residency program, please see General Information on the VMTH web site.
The University of California, Davis, and the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital are interested in candidates who are committed to the highest standards of scholarship and professional activities, and to the development of a campus climate that supports equality and diversity.
ALL RESIDENTS ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO OBTAIN A CALIFORNIA LICENSE WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE RESIDENCY.
RESIDENTS MUST BE ABLE TO ARRIVE AT THE HOSPITAL WITHIN 15 MINUTES OF AN EMERGENCY CALL, THEREFORE, RESIDENTS MUST PLAN TO LIVE WITHIN 15 MILES OF THE HOSPITAL.
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