Resident-reported brachytherapy experience in ACGME-accredited radiation oncology training programs.

PURPOSE

To describe resident-reported experience in brachytherapy in Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education-accredited radiation oncology training programs over the last 5 years.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Archived reports of Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education final resident case logs from the last 5 years were reviewed and summarized. Brachytherapy was categorized according to the dose rate (low dose rate vs. high dose rate), technique (interstitial vs. intracavitary), and primary tumor site. Linear regression was used to test for trends.

RESULTS

The mean number of total brachytherapy procedures performed per resident in the last 5 years has decreased from 80.8 in 2006-2007 to 71.0 in 2010-2011, but the trend is not statistically significant. The average number of intracavitary procedures has remained steady. The average resident experience with interstitial brachytherapy has decreased in a statistically significant manner. The average number of interstitial procedures has decreased by 25%.

CONCLUSIONS

The average number of interstitial procedures reported by residents has decreased by 25%. The community charged with training residents in interstitial brachytherapy should consider methods to ensure that residents obtain sufficient experience in the future.