University of Toronto - Radiation Oncology - Toronto
2022 R-1 Main Residency Match - first iteration
CMG Stream for CMG
Last approved on January 17, 2022
Summary of changesAccreditation status : Accredited
Provincial Criteria
Princess Margaret Hospital
610 University Avenue
Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9
Program Contacts
Important Information
Please be aware that most, if not all, hospitals and Universities in Ontario have mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies in place that require, in the absence of a valid medical or human rights exemption, proof of vaccination. Acceptable vaccination must be in accordance with Health Canada. You will be required to provide documentation of COVID-19 vaccination to the appropriate institution if matched. Failure to comply and provide the appropriate documentation may result in the termination of the contract. These guidelines could change at any time in accordance with future direction from the Ministry of Health or the Universities based on information from Public Health.
General Instructions
Program application language: English
Supporting Documentation
• Canadian Birth Certificate or Act of Birth
• Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
• Confirmation of Permanent Residence in Canada
• Passport page showing Canadian Citizenship
• Canadian Permanent Resident Card (both sides of card)
• Canadian Citizenship Card (both sides of card)
Legal Status
Proof of valid current citizenship or permanent resident status must be provided by submitting one of the following verifications to CaRMS by the File Review Opening deadline. Failure to provide valid proof will result in your application being removed. No other forms of verification are acceptable:
- Notarized/certified photocopy of Birth Certificate/Act of Birth issued by an authority in Canada accompanied by photo ID (must be Canadian government-issued photo ID).
- Documents must be notarized/certified photocopies. Notarized/certified copies must not be older than two years from the application submission deadline; otherwise, a new notarized/certified copy is required.
- Confirmation of permanent residence must be accompanied by a photo ID (must be a Canadian government-issued photo ID).
CaRMS is partnering with third-party organizations to automate the verification of citizenship/legal status required by postgraduate offices for entry into residency. Third-party verification simplifies the process for applicants and programs. All applicants who do not receive third-party citizenship verification will be required to upload and assign an acceptable proof of citizenship document. Please see additional information here.
If possible one or more letters from a faculty member in Radiation Oncology is helpful but not required.
Please include the following information in your Personal Letter:
-What do you know about Radiation Oncology?
-Why are you applying to Radiation Oncology?
-What makes you a strong candidate for Radiation Oncology residency and specialty?
Personal Letter should be maximum 2 pages (no more than 800 words)
Medical School Transcript Medical Student Performance Record PhotoReview Process
Applications submitted after file review has opened on January 31, 2022
Supporting documents (excluding letters of reference) that arrive after file review has opened on January 31, 2022
Letters of reference that arrive after the unmasking date on January 31, 2022
Interviews
Dates:
- March 8, 2022
The interview is semi-structured, conducted by a panel of 3-5 members, over a period of 30-45 minutes. A specific series of questions is asked each candidate. This has been developed to assess specific characteristics of the candidates.
Selection Criteria
Candidates should have
-A strong academic record
-A proven interest in our specialty, demonstrated by experience in our specialty or related fields
-References should attest to proficiency in clinical skills and provide comments on maturity, interpersonal skills, ability to work independently and potential for an academic career
-Evidence of Research or Scholarly activity is mandatory.
-Elective rotations at the University of Toronto are not required.
-A personal letter is mandatory.
Program goals
The program aims to attract and nurture dynamic enquiring individuals who are interested and enthusiastic about radiation oncology. Through an adaptive and responsive training program, trainees will learn about all areas of oncology and gain specific expertise within the radiation oncology field to allow them to contribute and advance the profession. Scholarly enquiry is emphasized and facilitated with active encouragement to undertake research in basic science, translational or clinical areas. With a dedicated faculty and excellent resources, we encourage and guide our residents to utilize the many and myriad learning opportunities to enable them to maximize their potential and lead the way in radiation oncology.
Selection process goals
- High academic achievement record as evidenced by transcripts, examination scores, comments, CV and awards
- Demonstrated strong clinical competency and knowledge
- Demonstrated strong interpersonal, communication and collaboration skills
- Demonstrated motivation, initiative
- Proven interest in scholarly activity, ability to complete projects (as appropriate to their academic background/environment) and intellectual curiosity
- Commitment to learning
- Familiar with and has a good /realistic understanding of RO and demands of residency and specialty
- Demonstrated leadership qualities, initiative, dedication to some cause
- Motivated to excel in a busy/demanding environment
- High ethical and professional standards
File review process
Review team composition : Residency Program Director, Associate directors, physics director/representatives, Residency research director, chief/senior residents, and additional faculty representatives
Average number of applications received by our program in the last five years : 0 - 50
Average percentage of applicants offered interviews : 51 - 75 %
| File component | Criteria |
|---|---|
| CV | All contents including research endeavors, publications, volunteer activities & interest |
| Electives | We recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted candidates’ opportunities to arrange and complete electives and would like to reassure you that a lack of elective activity this year will not negatively impact your application to our program. |
| Examinations | We evaluate academic results |
| Extra-curricular | Look for evidence of involvement and interests |
| Leadership skills | Leadership positions and programs that help develop leadership skills |
| MSPRs | We evaluate all past performance |
| Personal letters | Familiarity with and interest in radiation oncology, reasons why he/she is interested in our program |
| Reference documents | Familiarity with radiation oncology, candidates clinical and research abilities, their strengths |
| Research/Publications | Participation & dedication to research activities as well as publications |
| Transcripts | All academic performance including undergraduate, medical school & any other programs enrolled in |
Elective criteria
Interview process
Interview format :
We may accommodate requests to re-schedule interviews for applicants due to weather, technology failure, or unforeseen circumstances.
| Interview components | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Collaboration skills | We evaluate the ability to work in a team environment to provide exemplary care |
| Collegiality | We evaluate behaviour, attitudes and professionalism as demonstrated by the candidate |
| Communication skills | We evaluate proficiency in effective written and spoken English within a team environment |
| Health advocacy | We evaluate ability to advocate for quality and safety of patient care. |
| Interest in the discipline | We evaluate interest, and dedication to the knowledge and skills required to practice |
| Interest in the program | We evaluate interest and commitment to our Radiation Oncology Residency program |
| Leadership skills | We evaluate a commitment to developing leadership skills |
| Professionalism | We evaluate the ability to demonstrate professional conduct at all times |
| Scholarly activities | We evaluate all scholarly activity including research, publication and teaching |
Information gathered outside of CaRMS application
We do not consider any information gathered outside of the CaRMS application and local interview processes.Ranking process
The behavior(s) exhibited below during the interview process may prevent an applicant from being ranked by our program :Program Curriculum
This residency program is for 5 years.
Program length of training does not exceed the Royal College or College of Family Physicians of Canada standard.
Competency by Design (CBD) has been fully launched in Radiation Oncology training programs across Canada in 2019-2020 academic year. The program will continue to be a 5 year program, divided into four stages of the Competence Curriculum:
Transition to Discipline (i.e. orientation) – 2 months
Foundations of Discipline (i.e. medical, surgical and related training that is the foundation of radiation oncology) – 9-12 months
Core of discipline (i.e. radiation oncology rotations) - 36 - 44 months
Transition to Practice (after the Royal College Specialty examination) - 5 -9 months
More frequent assessments of clinical competencies and documentation of mastery of entrustable professional activities (EPAs) occur on rotations both within radiation oncology and other specialties where our trainees are rotating, and will continue for all residents – those formally in the CBD programs and those residents who are ahead of them, and in the traditionally structured program.
More information about CBD can be found at the Royal College website:
http://www.royalcollege.ca/rcsite/cbd/competence-by-design-cbd-e
The sections below describes the curriculum and schedules for the July 2021 cohort, and is anticipated to be the same or similar for the July 2022 cohort of residents:
PGY-1 Year – Transition to Discipline and Foundations of Discipline
This first postgraduate year stresses a broad based education with a 2 block (8 week) rotation that starts in Radiation Oncology, with a combination of lectures, orientations, and clinical experience in clinics and on inpatient wards, both at Princess Margaret and Odette Cancer Center. These two blocks in July and August offer teaching in basic oncology, clinical skills, communication skills, research methods, ethics, in addition to introduction and orientation to systems, technology, clinics, wards and expectations during residency, and constitute the “Transition to Discipline” (TTD).
The expectation is that residents will be able to demonstrate competencies in the following two entrustable professional activities (EPAs): EPA TTD-1-RadOnc: History and Physical Exam, and EPA TTD-2-RadOnc: Patient Handover
Following these two initial blocks the residents will rotate in a variety of medical and surgical specialties, including some or all of the following: internal medicine, surgical oncology, medical oncology, ENT, radiology, palliative care. These rotations take place at one of several University of Toronto teaching hospitals (University Health Network i.e. Toronto General, Toronto Western and Princess Margaret Hospital, Sunnybrook hospital which includes Odette Cancer center, Mt Sinai Hospital, St Michael’s hospital).
These rotations form the “Foundations of Discipline” (FOD). In addition to goals and objectives specific to each rotation, residents will be expected to work towards the following EPAs during this phase:
EPA FOD-RadOnc-1 Assessing and managing patients with common medical and surgical problems in various settings
EPA FOD-RadOnc-2 Identifying learning needs from clinical encounters and addressing one’s own gaps in knowledge and skills with guidance
EPA FOD-RadOnc-3 Managing a medical error/adverse event
EPA FOD-RadOnc-4 Assessing and managing patients with a cancer diagnosis in various settings
In addition to teachings and learnings during rotations, the Physics curriculum begins in the PGY1 year and will carry on into the PGY2 year, and the Academic Half day for all Radiation Oncology residents (PGY1-5) takes place every Friday AM, 9-12, either through a virtual platform, or once in person lectures resume, at PMH or Odette.
PGY-2 Year - starting Core of Discipline
In the second postgraduate year, residents will begin their radiation oncology rotations, starting with rotations that focus on one clinical site at a time (e.g. breast cancer, or GU cancers), working with several staff oncologists, and gradually progressing to more complex clinical sites. Focus is on acquiring knowledge about workup and management of those cancers, and developing skills in radiation planning (outlining targets for radiation, organs at risk, evaluating plans etc). Residents at both PMH and Odette have on-call duties, looking after inpatients and taking urgent calls from outpatients. The on-call at PMH is in house (and includes carrying the “code pager”), and at Odette is from home, but the resident may need to come in, eg to see consults in ER. Residents are always supported by staff while on call. Call frequency is well within PARO guidelines, and residents have a day off post-call for in-house call.
Clinical oncology teaching sessions are scheduled for all residents in a weekly academic half-day (Friday AM) and include case-based drills regarding patient management and treatment planning. All residents are expected to attend AHD and are freed from clinical duties to do so.
The six EPAs that are the focus of the Core of Discipline (COD) are:
EPA COD-RadOnc-1 Performing and presenting initial assessment
EPA COD-RadOnc-2 Developing and communicating a management plan
EPA COD-RadOnc-3 Developing, evaluating and implementing radiation treatment plans
EPA COD-RadOnc-4 Managing patients with cancer through their treatment
EPA COD-RadOnc-5 Developing plans for follow-up, surveillance, and survivorship, for patients with cancer
EPA COD-RadOnc-6 Delivering scholarly teaching to a wide variety of audiences
PGY-3 and 4 Years – Core of Discipline
These years primarily consist of radiation oncology rotations at PMH & OCC. All the clinical sites will be covered (gyne, lung, CNS, GI, sarcoma, lymphoma, pediatric, palliative, ENT etc), working typically with one or more staff RO at a time, for two to three months at a time. Focus is on developing competencies in all aspects of radiation oncology decision making and planning, including seeing patients in clinic (new patient consults, follow-ups, reviews), contouring and plan evaluation, monitoring of patients, assessment of response, dealing with toxicities and ongoing surveillance, as well as interacting with the radiation therapy team and the multidisciplinary team in providing care for the patients..
The formal curriculum includes: weekly academic half-day consisting of treatment planning drills and lectures covering all aspects of the radiation oncology curriculum, as well as career planning and resident wellness and other topics to cover all CANMEDS roles.
Written or planning exams are held annually so that residents can be assessed and prepared for the Royal College exams.
The UTDRO program places a large emphasis on research and scholarly work. Each resident is expected to complete several research projects during the program and submit manuscripts for publication. Opportunities to present completed work are available annually and residents are supported to present their work at national and international conferences. Research time can be taken if the project requires dedicated time, and if the resident is progressing well in their clinical training.
Throughout the entire training program, clinical conferences, seminars/tutorials and formal courses emphasize and reinforce the academic aspects of the specialty.
PGY-5 – Completion of Core of Discipline, Transition to Practice
It is anticipated that all Core EPAs will be completed by this time, and that residents will be proceeding to the Royal College specialty exams (written are currently anticipated to occur in spring of the PGY4 year and oral in the fall of the PGY5 year. Successful residents will then enter a Transition to Practice (TTP) phase of their training in which they will consolidate their clinical knowledge further, gain more independence and pursue other activities that fit with their career goals. The following EPAs will need to be completed during this phase:
EPA TTP-RadOnc-1 Providing radiation oncology consultation and management for patients with cancer or other indications for radiation therapy
EPA TTP-RadOnc-2 Contributing to administrative and professional aspects of a radiation oncology practice
EPA TTP-RadOnc-3 Executing a scholarly project relevant to Radiation Oncology
It is only upon completion of all aspects of their training, and successful completion of the Royal College Specialty Exams, that residents will have completed their Radiation Oncology Specialty training and be granted FRCPC status.
Research
Each resident is encouraged to complete one or more research projects during the program and produce a manuscript for publication. Opportunities to present completed work are available annually and residents are supported to present their work at national and international conferences.
Seminars & Courses
Throughout the entire training program, clinical conferences, seminars/tutorials and formal courses emphasize and reinforce the academic aspects of the specialty.
Training Sites
Resources
-University Health Network (UHN) incorporating the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, The Toronto Western Hospital (TWH), and The Toronto General Hospital (TGH).
-Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (SHSC) incorporating the Odette Cancer Centre (OCC)
-Mount Sinai Hospital (MSH)
-Hospital for Sick Children (HSC)
-Southlake Hospital, in Newmarket
-Royal Victoria Hospital, Barrie
- A flexible, tailored education experience based at two large radiation oncology centres in Toronto: The Princess Margaret & The Odette Cancer Centre.
- A multidisciplinary and inter-professional teaching faculty and clinical environment
- An excellent pass rate on national RCPSC certification examinations
- Leading international experts for teaching, mentorship, and career counselling within faculty
- Supportive educational enviroment and collegial peer group
- State of the art technology for training
- Great research opportunities and variety of research training options
- All the advantages of living in a large multicultural city
Additional Information
- Permanent Residents: Successful applicants who hold Permanent Resident status in Canada will be required to disclose their Country of Citizenship to the postgraduate medical education office in order to comply with current reporting requirements of the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities
- Matched applicants: CaRMS will provide their electronic data file to the matched university’s postgraduate education office. The postgraduate office will share the information as needed, but not limited to, the Ontario Physician Human Resource Data Centre, Canadian Post-MD Education Registry, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, the College of Family Physicians of Canada, the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada, the Professional Association of Residents of Ontario, teaching hospitals and other training sites, Touchstone Institute and the Ontario Ministry of Health.
- Changes: The Ontario Faculties of Medicine and Ontario Ministry of Health reserve the right to make changes to the information published on the CaRMS website pertaining to Ontario postgraduate training without prior notice.
- Failure to meet or provide proof of any of the stated requirements may result in the applicant file not being reviewed and removed.
Quick Facts
- The Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Toronto is one of the largest radiation oncology academic departments in the world.
- There are opportunities for electives during residency training. Residents must be in good academic standing in order to be considered for the out-of-town electives.
Summary of changes
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