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ARROgram #38
October 2005 Newsletter

Date: September 21, 2005

To: Resident physicians in radiation oncology training programs in the United States

Re: Update of ABR policy on resident absence from training

As you know, earlier this year the American Board of Radiology (ABR) made a substantive
change to their policy on resident leave, described in a previous ARROgram. Based on numerous
resident responses to this new policy, as well as discussions with senior members in our field,
ARRO sent a letter to the ABR representing resident interests and requesting a response from the
ABR to these considerations. ARRO now writes to inform you that the ABR issued a letter to
Program Directors on September 16, 2005 updating their new leave policy. The updated policy is
summarized below:

• Residents in training in radiation oncology are allowed to be absent from training for 20 days
  each year up to a maximum of 80 days over the course of their four years of training
• This absence relates only to vacation, sick and other non-training related leave
  
• The ABR considers leave for courses, conferences and meetings as professional and
  academic pursuits, and these will not be counted towards resident leave allowances
  
• When personal situations exist that require longer leaves of absence, including but not limited
  to maternity leave, family leave, and other extenuating absences, the program director may, at
  his/her discretion and in conformance with institutional policies, allow up to an additional six
  weeks of leave during the course of training before a candidate is required to make up the
  absent time by extending his or her training
  
• Residents in training before July 1, 2005, are permitted six calendar weeks (30 working days)
  of leave per year. In other words, they may take the 80 working days as outlined above, plus
  10 days per year for every year they were in training before July 1, 2005
  
• Under all circumstances, the training director must provide to the Board the standard
  verification that the candidate has completed all training essentials and educational
  requirements as published by the ACGME/RRC for Radiation Oncology (available online at:
  https://www.acgme.org/acWebsite/RRC_430/430_prIndex.asp)

ARRO thanks all residents for their letters and support. As always, we welcome your ideas and
suggestions.

Sincerely,

The ARRO Executive Board