EDUCATION & TRAINING
Christian Medical College, Vellore has been a centre of excellence in Radiotherapy. Diploma in Radiotherapy (DMRT) was started in the year 1962 and MD program in 1964. Since then CMC has produced about 200 graduates who serve in centres all over India and abroad.
The Residency program in Medical Physics was started in the year 2004.The MSc Medical Physics program affiliated with the Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University and approved by AERB was started in the year 2011. CMC is also a training centre for M.Sc. Medical Physics (Anna University) and Medical Physics Diploma (Bhaba Atomic Research Centre, Bombay). The PhD program in Medical Physics is also affiliated to Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University.
The CMAI in Medical Radiotherapy course was initiated in 1962 and continued till the year 2010. Subsequently, the Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University recognized BSc Radiotherapy Technology program was started in the year 2011.
LIST OF COURSES OFFERED (CURRENTLY)
| COURSE NAME | DURATION (YEARS) | NO. OF SEATS |
| MD (Radiotherapy) | 3 | 8 |
| MSc (Medical Physics) | 2 + 1 year internship | 5 |
| BSc (Radiotherapy Technology) | 3 + 1 year internship | 4 |
Please visit the Admissions page of the CMC, Vellore website for latest details
http://www.cmch-vellore.edu/SITES/Education/prospectus.pdf
MD (Radiotherapy) and DMRT
Christian Medical College offers post-graduate diploma (2 year) and degree course (3 year) in radiation oncology. Initiated in the year 1962 and 1964 respectively by Dr. Ida B Scudder, it has produced several pioneers in the field of radiation oncology in India and abroad. The hands-on patient-oriented course involves outpatient and inpatient patient care, multidisciplinary tumor board meetings, conventional and conformal planning and execution of treatment, brachytherapy and chemotherapy training. During the course, the postgraduates are also posted in various auxiliary and associated departments such as Nuclear Medicine, Radiology, Haematology, Palliative Care and Critical Medicine which enhances the knowledge and aptitude of the postgraduates to the subject. Regular journal clubs, radiation physics lectures and other academic programs keep the residents up-to-date with the latest developments in the rapidly progressing field of Oncology.
The ‘learn one, do one and teach one’ policy which is strongly practiced within the institution enables strong teacher student bonding and keeps the stress at a minimum level. The age-old teaching that the patient is the best teacher is put into practice at every step of training in the department. The post graduate dissertation which is mandatory by the university and research-oriented faculty trains the inquisitive minds of the residents and encourages them to ask questions and find answers. The residents are also encouraged to participate in various state and national level conferences to present their work and learn and be in touch with the latest developments. During the training period a resident develops interpersonal and group communication skills which are essential to impart a holistic treatment to the patient.
MSc (Medical Physics)
Medical Physics is a health care profession that applies physics to medicine in areas such
as Radiation Oncology, Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine. In the field of Radiation
Oncology, Medical Physicists play a vital role in planning the radiation treatment of cancer
patients using sophisticated treatment planning systems. In addition, they commission, calibrate
and perform quality assurance tests on the radiation delivery equipment such as linear
accelerators, telecobalt and brachytherapy units to ensure accurate and safe delivery of radiation. In Diagnostic Radiology, Medical Physicists have the responsibility of ensuring the quality and safety of imaging modalities such as Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) fluoroscopy, digital radiography, mammography and ultrasound. Nuclear Medicine Physicists are responsible for the management and use of unsealed radioactive sources for diagnosis and therapy including Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET).
This programme consists of two years of academic study and one year of compulsory internship and this postgraduate degree programme intends to train physics graduates as professionally sound medical physicists with good academic knowledge and practical skills in the areas mentioned above. This program includes core subjects covering Radiation Physics and Safety, Techniques, Dosimetry, Imaging Physics, Nuclear Medicine Physics, Radiobiology and Anatomy and Physiology apart from Radiation Mathematics which also covers computational packages such as C++ and MATLAB. A project must be carried out in the second year followed by a one-year internship in the third year. On completion of this course one can expect to be employed in a hospital, university or a research institute and have the option of pursuing research and doctoral studies both at home and abroad.
BSc (Radiotherapy Technology)
Radiation Therapy is the medical use of ionizing radiation, generally as part of cancer treatment to destroy the tumor cells and spare the normal tissues. High-energy x-rays and gamma rays generated from sophisticated equipment such as Medical Linear Accelerators, Telecobalt and High-dose rate Brachytherapy remote after-loading machines are used to treat cancer patients by various radiotherapy techniques such as volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT), Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT), Stereotactic Radiosurgery, Brachytherapy and many other special techniques.
During this course, students will learn about human anatomy and physiology, various types of cancers, patient care, radiographic techniques and different radiotherapy treatment techniques in addition to basic radiation physics and the physics and technology of radiotherapy equipment. This course will also provide invaluable practical experience which includes hands-on use of the radiotherapy equipment mentioned above. The students will interact closely with the team of radiographers, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and nurses that will immensely help in enhancing their practical knowledge, skill and expertise.