www.mddus.com Q&A


Dr Adam Dangoor, medical oncologist at University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust


• What first attracted you to medical oncology? I took rather a long time to make a career decision compared with current junior doctors. However, as early as house jobs, I found aspects of palliative care interesting and rewarding. Then I did an SHO job which included oncology outpatient clinics so gained an insight into what oncologists do, and enjoyed it. My subsequent experience as an SHO in oncology was not entirely satisfactory as the post was far too busy and disorganised; also on the ward you often see the patients who are doing less well. Fortunately it didn’t put me off!


• What do you enjoy most about the job? You get to know your patients well, as there is more continuity of care than in some specialties. They have a serious diagnosis but you can help to ease their symptoms and hopefully support them. You can sometimes cure, or at least prolong life, and really make a difference to patients and their families, which is very satisfying. Academically it is interesting with new advances that you can help bring to the clinic.


• have good communication skills


• enjoy practising evidence-based medicine by analysing and adapting the results of research to optimise patient outcomes


• are interested in a broad spectrum of academic research, including basic and translational science and clinical trials


• can work as part of a multidisciplinary team.


Entry and training Entry into training follows successful completion of both a foundation and core training programme. The two core training programmes for medical oncology are: core medical training (CMT) or acute care common stem (medicine; ACCS). Both lead to the attainment of MRCP(UK). This is followed by specialist medical oncology training leading to CCT. The minimum training period from ST1 is six years. Trainees must register for specialist training with the Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians’ Training Board (JRCPTB) at ST3. Medical oncology is seen as an academic specialty and a significant proportion of trainees will take time out during training to do an MD or PhD, but this is not mandatory. Entry into medical oncology is competitive


and candidates should be able to demonstrate some specific interest in oncology. F1 and F2 and CT1 and CT2 posts are available in hospitals with oncology departments, and rotation through one of these posts during training gives an excellent insight into the specialty. It would also be useful to undertake a project pertinent to medical oncology, either an audit, publication or presentation at a local or national meeting. It is also helpful to speak with current medical oncology trainees and be aware of some of the research that underpins practice.


Sources/Further reading • Medical Oncology. JRCPTB webpage: www.bit.ly/1b0cy7e


• The Association of Cancer Physicians. www.cancerphysicians.org.uk


• Medical careers – medical oncology. NHS webpage. www.bit.ly/1f8ekxz


• Medical Oncology FAQs. Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency (NIMDTA). www.bit.ly/1mrqvxu


• Specialty career profile. Payne, Sarah. RCP, 2011. www.bit.ly/1dkf3wc


• What do you find most challenging? Obviously you are often dealing with patients with terminal illness and that can be tough but to a certain extent you get used to it. Unlike more sessional specialties, you have more irregular calls on your time – maybe review of patients on the ward, organising treatments and answering queries from patients, families and other doctors, outside your timetabled clinics. In addition of course you have to stay up to date in your field, which can be fairly fast moving. There are new treatments being developed all the time.


• Has anything surprised you about the specialty? I had quite a lot of exposure as a junior so knew basically what to expect. My period in lab research took me out of my comfort zone, and although I had a mixed experience, there are a variety of opportunities and many find it adds another facet to their career.


• What do you consider the most important attributes of a good medical oncologist? An interest in people, empathy, good communication skills, organisation and conscientiousness, an enquiring mind and positive attitude.


• What advice could you offer to a final year or FY trainee considering medical oncology? I always think people need to find a specialty that suits their personality. You should certainly try and get along to an oncology outpatient clinic or do a relevant post so you get an insight into the job. If you want to apply you need to try and make aspects of your portfolio relevant and show a genuine interest, as well as aptitude.


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