| 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. |
| 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.
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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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