Frequently Asked Questions
What distinguishes this course from other contouring teaching sessions?
This course includes unique features not offered elsewhere. First, the teaching is truly hands-on in nature. For the in-person course, students are provided with anatomic specimens to examine, touch, manipulate, and to correlate with radiographic images and contouring. For example, skull base foramina and nerve pathways are first identified by students on anatomic specimens, then shown on radiographic images, and then contoured. In the thoracic section, residents use the cadaveric specimens to demonstrate the various thoracic nodal levels and how these can be accessed through different surgical and non-surgical approaches. Second, the course is truly multidisciplinary, with joint sessions including radiologists, radiation oncologists, anatomists, and/or surgeons teaching together. There are numerous opportunities to ask questions and review important issues with all members of the team. Third, the course is one of the few that has been developed using an evidence-based approach with published outcomes showing a positive effect.
What's the difference between the online and in-person courses?
The online course mimics the characteristics of the online course as much as possible. Although we can't do a hands-on experience through the internet, we think this is the next best thing for people who can't travel to London. We recorded the Bootcamp lecturers using the same slides used in real life, and we specifically created anatomy lab videos to try to convey a similar experience as the breakout rooms. In the online course, each lecture is given by someone from one speciality, one at a time, but the lectures are designed to be complementary across specialties, and all are radiation-oncology focused. In the real-life course, often there are teachers from different specialties in the room (anatomy, radiology, radiation oncology), allowing for true multidisciplinary input. The feedback in the online course is automated, through quizzes, or using the EduCase contouring software.
The in-person course provides added value: it allows you to ask questions, get immediate feedback, and we add in some extra things that can't be done online (like nasopharyngoscopy practice). It also allows you to meet other residents, see a nice city, and get pampered (and fed very well!) at the conference centre.
Why a limit on the number of available in-person spots?
The hands-on nature of the course precludes large numbers of students. Although we realize that there are many more interested residents than available spots, increasing the size of the course further would diminish the experience significantly.
How do I pay?
Credit card payments will be processed by EventBrite for the in-person course, or through Teachable for the online course..
How do I get to London?
London, Ontario, Canada is located midway between Detroit and Toronto. There are several options to get to London, including Air, Rail, Bus, or Car.
Air:
Direct flights to London are available from some cities, including Chicago, Ottawa, Calgary, and Toronto. Air travel to most major North American cities is available with only one connection. Alternatively, students can fly to Toronto or Detroit and proceed to London by car or rail.
If you are landing in London International Airport (YXU), it's easiest to take a taxi to the Conference Centre.
If you are landing in Toronto: From Pearson International Airport, you can get to London by using either a shuttle service (Robert Q Airbus) or by renting a car. The trip is about 2 hours. It is not generally advisable to take the train if you are landing at Pearson, as it requires a trip downtown to get to the train station. If you are landing at Billy Bishop Airport in Toronto, options include the train, car rental, or Greyhound.
If you are landing in Detroit, transportation is more difficult as it is farther and it involves a border crossing and shuttles are less frequent. London is approximately a 2.5 hour drive to the east. Shuttles are available (Robert Q Airbus), and car rental is also an option. Please check with the rental agency first to confirm that cross-border travel is permitted.
Rail:
Via Rail provides service to London, with the Via Rail Station in Downtown London: www.viarail.ca
Bus:
Greyhound provides bus service to London, with the station in Downtown London: www.greyhound.ca
Car:
See the directions posted at the Ivey Spencer Leadership Centre website.
What distinguishes this course from other contouring teaching sessions?
This course includes unique features not offered elsewhere. First, the teaching is truly hands-on in nature. For the in-person course, students are provided with anatomic specimens to examine, touch, manipulate, and to correlate with radiographic images and contouring. For example, skull base foramina and nerve pathways are first identified by students on anatomic specimens, then shown on radiographic images, and then contoured. In the thoracic section, residents use the cadaveric specimens to demonstrate the various thoracic nodal levels and how these can be accessed through different surgical and non-surgical approaches. Second, the course is truly multidisciplinary, with joint sessions including radiologists, radiation oncologists, anatomists, and/or surgeons teaching together. There are numerous opportunities to ask questions and review important issues with all members of the team. Third, the course is one of the few that has been developed using an evidence-based approach with published outcomes showing a positive effect.
What's the difference between the online and in-person courses?
The online course mimics the characteristics of the online course as much as possible. Although we can't do a hands-on experience through the internet, we think this is the next best thing for people who can't travel to London. We recorded the Bootcamp lecturers using the same slides used in real life, and we specifically created anatomy lab videos to try to convey a similar experience as the breakout rooms. In the online course, each lecture is given by someone from one speciality, one at a time, but the lectures are designed to be complementary across specialties, and all are radiation-oncology focused. In the real-life course, often there are teachers from different specialties in the room (anatomy, radiology, radiation oncology), allowing for true multidisciplinary input. The feedback in the online course is automated, through quizzes, or using the EduCase contouring software.
The in-person course provides added value: it allows you to ask questions, get immediate feedback, and we add in some extra things that can't be done online (like nasopharyngoscopy practice). It also allows you to meet other residents, see a nice city, and get pampered (and fed very well!) at the conference centre.
Why a limit on the number of available in-person spots?
The hands-on nature of the course precludes large numbers of students. Although we realize that there are many more interested residents than available spots, increasing the size of the course further would diminish the experience significantly.
How do I pay?
Credit card payments will be processed by EventBrite for the in-person course, or through Teachable for the online course..
How do I get to London?
London, Ontario, Canada is located midway between Detroit and Toronto. There are several options to get to London, including Air, Rail, Bus, or Car.
Air:
Direct flights to London are available from some cities, including Chicago, Ottawa, Calgary, and Toronto. Air travel to most major North American cities is available with only one connection. Alternatively, students can fly to Toronto or Detroit and proceed to London by car or rail.
If you are landing in London International Airport (YXU), it's easiest to take a taxi to the Conference Centre.
If you are landing in Toronto: From Pearson International Airport, you can get to London by using either a shuttle service (Robert Q Airbus) or by renting a car. The trip is about 2 hours. It is not generally advisable to take the train if you are landing at Pearson, as it requires a trip downtown to get to the train station. If you are landing at Billy Bishop Airport in Toronto, options include the train, car rental, or Greyhound.
If you are landing in Detroit, transportation is more difficult as it is farther and it involves a border crossing and shuttles are less frequent. London is approximately a 2.5 hour drive to the east. Shuttles are available (Robert Q Airbus), and car rental is also an option. Please check with the rental agency first to confirm that cross-border travel is permitted.
Rail:
Via Rail provides service to London, with the Via Rail Station in Downtown London: www.viarail.ca
Bus:
Greyhound provides bus service to London, with the station in Downtown London: www.greyhound.ca
Car:
See the directions posted at the Ivey Spencer Leadership Centre website.