As members of the Association of Residents in Radiation Oncology (ARRO) Executive Committee, the education subcommittee is dedicated to enhancing the educational experience of radiation oncology (RO) residents nationwide. Through a myriad of projects and collaborations championed by active membership and other ARRO subcommittees, we not only create and collate resources, but also leverage existing ones. Our primary goal is to support residents across the continuum of medical training and transition into practice. Here, we highlight ongoing and new initiatives for residents, in addition to ARRO’s Favorite Resources .

Ongoing Projects and Collaborations

Webinars . We have worked alongside communications and advocacy subcommittees to provide a wide range of webinar topics and guest speakers. We have hosted a Visiting Professors series to highlight aspects of professional development less commonly discussed in residency, provided resources for radiology and treatment planning review , and reviewed clinical paradigms . We continue to keep trainees up to date on health policy and advocacy, most recently through a discussion of the Radiation Oncology Case Rate program . Collaborations with organizations such as Children’s Oncology Group, Mednet, and ASTRO’s Code Utilization and Application Subcommittee have enriched our webinar series, ensuring residents (and medical students) have access to a wealth of information.

At The Beam (ATB ) Podcast . Our committee has successfully explored podcasts as another medium for the dissemination of educational material. We have partnered with ATB to bring ARROCases to the podcast in an oral boards format. Through short 15-to-20-minute episodes, ATB goes through RO cases, highlighting the relevant pearls in pathophysiology and management that are directly translatable to the clinic.

ARROCase and eContour . Monthly ARROCases created by subcommittee members review a case from diagnosis to follow up and serve as invaluable tools for residents, aiding in the preparation for clinics and exams. Additionally, our partnership with the eContour team allows us to seamlessly integrate ARROCases with eContour, creating a comprehensive resource for residents to refine their contouring skills.

High-Yield Radiation Biology and Physics Lectures. Our commitment to board preparation is evident in the release of high-yield physics and radiation biology lectures every 1 to 3 years, providing residents with essential knowledge to excel in their certifying exams.

Shared Study Decks (ARROAnki) . There is great heterogeneity in how residents learn and consolidate information needed to succeed in RO. Dedicated committee members have created and vetted shared study decks for several disease sites. This spaced-repetition, electronic flash card tool offers residents an efficient study resource tailored to their needs.

Varian Physics Study Guide. Varian has developed a physics study guide, which is a mix of videos and quizzes. This resource provides residents with a comprehensive resource for board exam preparation. Residents could register at this link: https://bit.ly/3wkV562 .

Oral Boards Study Groups. Understanding the importance of oral boards and study groups, and through collaboration with the ASTRO Early Career Committee (ECC), our group was able to connect graduating residents across the country in small study groups. Make sure you check out the Tips & Tricks for success on ABR certifying Oral Examination co-hosted by ARRO and ASTRO ECC.

New Initiatives in Development

Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs). In 2023, a study by Jeans et al¹ defined EPAs and curricular content domains in RO. Our team is closely working with the Radiation Oncology Education Collaborative Study Group to delve deeper into those critical competencies and develop a workbook to serve as an educational blueprint for stakeholders in residency programs and licensing bodies, ensuring consistency and excellence in resident training.

On-Call Initiative and Handbook. Led by residents within our committee, this collaborative effort aims to create a guide addressing common on-call/triage issues, enhancing preparedness and confidence among early RO residents.

RadOnc Questions (ROQ) Collaboration. Partnering with RadOnc Questions, we hope to incorporate ROQ quizzes to be released along with ARROCases, further cementing knowledge from the case in a set of high-quality board exam questions.

QuadShot Collaboration. Our collaboration with QuadShot aims to highlight resident-specific research, promoting original, high-quality work and engaging residents in the latest RO literature.

Awards

ARRO Resident Educator of the Year Award. We are proud to introduce this inaugural award recognizing outstanding dedication and innovation in resident education. This award celebrates the vital role of resident educators in shaping the future of health care and promotes excellence in teaching within our community.

ARRO Educator of the Year. We continue to award this honor to faculty members from each institution, recognizing their excellence and dedication to resident training and education.

In conclusion, we remain committed to advancing resident education through innovation, valuable resources, and collaborative partnerships. Our committee is comprised of a phenomenal group of dedicated individuals who have collectively made possible the above projects. We always welcome feedback, new ideas, and ways to improve and contribute meaningfully to resident education.