BSOC Learning Journals

During 2005, 40 participants registered to complete BSOC. Five oncology related specialties were represented. These included:

Medical Oncology
Medical Physics
Oral Health
Palliative Care
Radiation Oncology

Each BSOC participant was invited to reflect upon their learning at the end of the course. Below is a summary of some of these reflections.

Planning Ahead

Briefly describe what your anticipations were and how learning could impact upon your current clinical practice.

"I wanted to gain good technical knowledge of radiobiology, physics and anatomy so that I can sit the RANZCR Part 1 examination next year."
Radiation Oncologist

"To gain a basic knowledge of components to get a multidisciplinary understanding of the specialty as a whole and how it impacts on radiation oncology."
Radiation Oncologist

"To develop an understanding of what other health professionals do in my department and learn how to assist them more relevantly, particularly in the communication of new technologies and impact on patients."
Radiation Oncologist

"To have interesting talks that were relevant to my work with a broad cross-section of topics, especially communication."
Medical Physicist

"To gain a better understanding of the basic principles and concepts of oncology and create opportunities for research".
Medical Oncologist

"The course served as a good syllabus in self learning in oncology. The knowledge gained in some lectures could be directly applied at work."
Medical Oncologist

Reflection

Reflect on how your participation in BSOC has or could change your clinical practices. How does this compare to what you originally anticipated?

"My participation in BSOC has broadened my horizons in cancer management. Not only did it improve my basic knowledge on different areas, it has made me more aware of the importance of multidisciplinary approach to cancer patients".
Medical Oncologist

"Up to date knowledge is essential in the practice of oncology…In some topic areas, some things could be directly applied at work, such as communication skills, palliative care, or just confirm that clinical practice is the current standard".
Medical Oncologist

"The lectures on critical appraisal of journal articles were excellent, and I've used these concepts to better understand the statistical analyses in our weekly journal club meetings."
Medical Oncologist

"BSOC has helped to fill gaps in my own study and to raise questions for me to go and find the answers."
Radiation Oncologist

"Theoretical reasoning was provided for what we see clinically."
Radiation Oncologist

"It has improved my confidence in speaking up about topics and discussions…There has been an improvement in my problem solving skills and making important clinical decisions."
Medical Physicist

Ongoing Professional Development

Indicate your further professional development needs that have materialised during the programme. This may include expanding upon learning that has already taken place during the course or further learning in the future.

"The course has introduced basic concepts that now need to be built upon. It has provided a framework around which to base my study on."
Radiation Oncologist

"The sessions on statistics were useful…and will form a good basis from which I can build my knowledge."
Radiation Oncologist

"I need to have greater involvement in research / academic medicine."
Radiation Oncologist

"The main focus of my training over the next few years will be physics as I prepare for accreditation. However, I wish to continue to work on my understanding of radiobiology.
Medical Physicist

"We all need to know more. Coming to the course has exposed areas of weakness in knowledge and understanding. It is reassuring, that as a first year trainee, as the year progressed, that there were less and less blank spots."
Medical Oncologist