FM-Oncology

[Fortress]

I have noticed that a few programs are offering +1's in FM-oncology. Can anyone shed some light on the role of FM-oncology? Is it like you are rounding with an oncologist on all the inpatients? Or is it mainly clinic where you follow up on all the patients who are in remission? Any input would be appreciated.

[JohnGrisham]

2 hours ago, Fortress said:

I have noticed that a few programs are offering +1's in FM-oncology. Can anyone shed some light on the role of FM-oncology? Is it like you are rounding with an oncologist on all the inpatients? Or is it mainly clinic where you follow up on all the patients who are in remission? Any input would be appreciated.

GP-Oncologists have traditionally worked in Cancer agencies managing admitted patients or  outpatient f/u clinics attached to the Cancer agency for symptom mgmt f/u. Its interesting that its now a +1, as traditionally it was a weekend course through cancer agency and learn as you go.

 

[frenchpress]

I’ve worked with GP oncologists both urban and rural in BC. In the city it seems to be some inpatients or a lot of outpatient follow up of patients at the cancer agency. Rurally it’s essentially the same, but seemed to come with a bit more responsibility - rural GPs I worked with doing oncology will follow the treatment plan from the oncologists in the city, but they may be the only physician seeing and following the patient closely while they get chemo for potentially months at a time, and may be the ones to monitor improvement, pick up on issues, etc. A lot of it is knowing the medications used for treatment of different cancers, treatment algorithms, genetic testing and treatment approaches, chemo side effects, etc. Usually we weren’t changing someone’s chemo without consulting oncology, but we might for example start someone on dex for symptom control. Rurally it was interesting as basically you might have to manage any type of patient with any type of cancer, broader scope. In the city it tended to be more focused - I.e. a GP oncologist might work with the ‘gyne’ oncology group, and see primarily gyne cancers, and might have a narrower scope. In both cases it was mostly patients on active treatment, as well as some post-treatment / remission bc follow up.

[Fortress]

1 hour ago, frenchpress said:

GP oncologist might work with the ‘gyne’ oncology group, and see primarily gyne cancers, and might have a narrower scope.

And so what would be a GP oncologist's role as inpatient in gyne onc for example? Symptom management or chemo side effects I suppose?

Also do you have an idea of what the renumeration is like say compared to hospitalist n BC?

[frenchpress]

4 hours ago, Fortress said:

And so what would be a GP oncologist's role as inpatient in gyne onc for example? Symptom management or chemo side effects I suppose?

Also do you have an idea of what the renumeration is like say compared to hospitalist n BC?

I only worked with outpatients myself so I can’t say too much about what inpatient would look like. From the one doc I know who did it, it didn’t sound too different from any other hospitalist job. From the months I spent in the cancer agency it felt like the majority of patients were outpatient. 

Cant say re: remuneration. The appointments were generally quite long (30 min or 60 min) and the day was rarely full; never felt like a particularly ‘busy’ job. 

[Fortress]

2 hours ago, frenchpress said:

I only worked with outpatients myself so I can’t say too much about what inpatient would look like. From the one doc I know who did it, it didn’t sound too different from any other hospitalist job. From the months I spent in the cancer agency it felt like the majority of patients were outpatient. 

Cant say re: remuneration. The appointments were generally quite long (30 min or 60 min) and the day was rarely full; never felt like a particularly ‘busy’ job. 

Thanks!

[JohnGrisham]

17 hours ago, Fortress said:

And so what would be a GP oncologist's role as inpatient in gyne onc for example? Symptom management or chemo side effects I suppose?

Also do you have an idea of what the renumeration is like say compared to hospitalist n BC?

Based on the minimal i know, its likely sessional based(i.e. paid on a half-day basis x2 if you work full day), unless hired on a full-time basis by the Cancer Agency with a salary. I don't think it would renumerate as well as hospitalist renumeration package simply because they usually also have call requirements that add on to their overall hours worked(providing coverage and intakes for new admits). Dont know if that would apply the same to GP onc set ups, or more so be like a FFS basis for other lower acuity coverage program.

 

[SavannaGibson]

Oncologists have always worked with multiple institutions. Even if it's a private clinic, they can bring in an independent oncologist like an out-of-state hospital can do when they need specialists. This is a normal practice. Now +1 is an extra consultation or a day that is not part of the oncologist's rate, but you can visit the labs on that day. My oncologist allowed me to spend that day at the clinic under his supervision to see how they examine cancer cells. I have a good memory of the moment I saw several mc38 cell lines on mice. This is exactly how my cancer developed, which I could defeat.