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Accelerators co-host Dr. Matt Spraker is joined by Out Of The Basement co-host and Dr. Jason Beckta. We're talking #ASTRO23 and jobs, the theme of the conference for Matt.

This episode is, in part, a reaction to Jason's most recent OOTB episode: Chicken Little Strikes Back. Jason weaves 2023's "hot" job market and the workforce data into a master narrative to describe the changing market across recent years.  As this episode is heavily referenced here, you may want to listen first!  (But its not required)

Matt and Jason kick off by discussing interview experiences at ASTRO 2017 in San Diego. We then share thoughts about the 2023 "workforce session", what this means for medical students and graduating residents, and a plea for Rad Onc advocacy in the broadest sense.

The episode concludes with more discussion of the conference and our future.

Here are links to things mentioned in the show:

• Dr. Susannah Ellsworth Xeet on over/under supply, and her thread on the session.
• Matt Xeet on the alarming SOAP data and the "12,000 RVU Poll"
• How Much Are Resident Physicians Worth by Dr. Carmody, an excellent read on "the economy of residents"

The Accelerators Podcast is a production of Photon Media, a division of Cold Light Legacy.

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It's a Photon Media crossover episode! Accelerators co-hosts Drs. Matt Spraker and Simul Parikh team up with Dr. Jason Beckta, host of the Out Of The Basement podcast, to talk about billing.

We are joined by Shawna Stacey, ROCC, MBA, Coding and Billing Specialist at Radformation. The episode kicks off with a discussion about why you should care about billing and coding. Matt, Simul, and Jason discuss their (lack of training) training and experiences trying to learn on the job.

Simply learning about billing and coding doesn't make you greedy, it helps you understand how you are paid for your work. A transparent and well funded clinic offers the best chance of optimizing care for your patients!

Feeling overwhelmed by billing and wish you could just stick to patient care? Us too.

Later in the episode, we discuss resources that help you not care, especially Radformation's QuickCode. You already know how AutoContour and ClearCheck have automated your clinic, QuickCode does it for billing and coding. 

Don't believe us? We close the episode by asking Jason and Simul to "break" QuickCode with a complicated billing and coding scenario that is sure to frighten even the experts. 

Here are some things we discussed during the show:

• "What is a MAC?", from CMS
• "What's an LCD?", from Medicare.gov
• ACROInsights Newsletter from the Goverment Relations/Economics Committee (membership required)

Editor's Note: While our love for their products is genuine, The Accelerators were compensated for this episode and Radformation participated in planning the content. The discussions in this episode are the opinions of the participants and are not billing and coding advice.

Please see our website for complete information on our past and current sponsors.

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This week, Dr. Matt Spraker hosts medical student and Rad Onc applicant Dr. Laura Flores, PhD to discuss The Rad Onc Match! 

With all these links there's no room for a summary, so just listen!

• Rank Order List: Buyers and Sellers Edition and accompanying video
• The Accelerators Podcast, Composite QoL Measure for #RadOnc Happiness
• That WaPo article about physician salaries and an excellent SDN post explaining why the number reported for Rad Onc is inflated
• Matt Spraker's Threads 
  • ERAS competitiveness
  • Degree during residency
• Tweet from Dr. Mary Mahoney on applicant demographics
• Holistic Review
• The Accelerators Podcast, ACROPolis Live! at #ACRO2023
• Out Of The Basement Podcast, History of RadOnc: the "2018 exams"
• The Accelerators Podcast, In Conversation with Join Luh
• Shah et al., The ASTRO Workforce Study
• ACGME Program Requirements for Radiation Oncology

For a deep dive, please check out the many Photon Media podcasts on the workforce.  From The Accelerators Podcast: 

• The One About Jobs
• Facility Volumes to Assess the Job Market
• Analyzing Job Board Postings
• New Starts: Residents

From Out Of The Basement:

• Rad Onc Job Secrets Part 1 and Part 2
• ASTRO Workforce Interim (2022) and Final Analysis
• Supply and Demand Impact

Podcast art generously donated by Dr. Danielle Cunningham. Intro and Outro music by Emmy-award winning artist Lucas Cantor Santiago.

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On this week's episode, Accelerator Dr. Simul Parikh hosts Radiation Oncologist Dr. Daniel Koffler to discuss psychedelics in oncology!

They kick off the conversation by discussing ketamine. They review it's use in head and neck and gynecologic cancers, and discuss two trials by Daniel and colleagues (see below).

Later, they discuss the systemic use of psychedelics, some practical advice for incorporating psychedelics (topical and systemic) and collaborating with psychiatrists and psychologists in your local practice.

Here are some things discussed during the show as well as some more stuff you should check out:

• Clinical trial of ketamine mouthwash by Daniel and friends (get the protocol)
• Clinical trial of ketamine psychotherapy (KAPTIVATED) by the same
• Analgesic effects of topical ketamine, a review
• Treatment of severe mucositis pain with oral ketamine mouthwash
• Topical Ketamine in the Treatment of Mucositis Pain, a dramatic case report
• "Finding medical value in mescaline" in Nature
• Efficacy of ketamine therapy in the treatment of depression
• Efficacy of Esketamine Nasal Spray Plus Oral Antidepressant Treatment for Relapse Prevention in Depression

(Editor's Book Recommendation! For an excellent book on the history of psychedelics research and their resurgence, check out How To Change Your Mind by Michael Pollen)

Podcast art generously donated by Dr. Danielle Cunningham. Intro and Outro music by Emmy-award winning artist Lucas Cantor Santiago.

The Accelerators Podcast is a Photon Media production. 

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This week The Accelerators (Drs. Anna Brown, Matt Spraker, and Simul Parikh) host radiation oncologist and legend Dr. Join Luh. This show is all about Join!

We discuss his path through internal and emergency medicine to radiation oncology, and his experience working as a rural, community radiation oncologist. What are the joys and challenges of serving a small community?

We then discuss Join's advocacy for his practice and his patients throughout his career with a special focus on his RO-APM editorial in the JCO. 

We close the episode with the return of Simul's Lightning Round! 

Texas versus California, which would you pick?

Here are some other things we discussed during the show:

• The Peacock Radiotherapy System and Where goest the Peacock?
• California Assembly Bill 890 and a CalMatters review of the bill
• The Accelerators Podcast: ACROPolis Live! Welcome to Rad Onc

Podcast art generously donated by Dr. Danielle Cunningham. Intro and Outro music by Emmy-award winning artist Lucas Cantor Santiago.

The Accelerators Podcast is a Photon Media production. 

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Accelerators co-hosts Drs. Matt Spraker and Simul Parikh host Drs. Chris Booth and Aaron Goodman to discuss their new organization, Common Sense Oncology (CSO).

Listen as Chris and Aaron describe the inspirational origin story of CSO, from an idea to a symposium to a groundbreaking movement. We discuss discomfort in speaking up against powerful voices in medicine, and how the interaction of hope and money can make this a big challenge.

We then move on to discussing details of their symposium and their inclusion of patients in the formation of their organization.

Finally, we discuss some future goals of CSO and how you can get involved!

Sign up to become a member of CSO and consider donating today (USA or non-USA). One hundred percent of the funds go to support CSO efforts!

Here are some other things we discussed during the show.

• Booth et al., Common Sense Oncology: Outcomes That Matter, Lancet Oncology, 2023
• Medical oncologist Dr. Bishal Gyawali
• Oncology Unscripted Podcast with Julie Johnson, Katie Coleman, and Dr. Matt Spraker
• You are told you have cancer: five questions you should ask your oncologist by Dr. Booth

Podcast art generously donated by Dr. Danielle Cunningham. Intro and Outro music by Emmy-award winning artist Lucas Cantor Santiago.

The Accelerators Podcast is a Photon Media production. 

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The Accelerators co-hosts Drs. Matt Spraker and Simul Parikh hang out over lunch and discuss a potpourri of #RadOnc current events!

We cover ASTRO’s ROCR policy proposal, Dr. Sameer Keole's ASTRO presidential campaign and engagement on Student Doctor Network, and the recent dysphagia optimized IMRT trial.

Then, Simul hypothesizes about the future of radiation oncology under case rate payment models.

We close with some more thoughts about proton therapy inspired by Dr. Mark Storey's latest piece.

Here are a lot of links to things we discussed on the show:

• The Moto ROKR 
• Accreditation Programs by the ACR, ACRO, and ASTRO
• ASTRO ROCR Policy Page 
• Register for the ROCR Town Hall this Friday, July 21 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM ET
• What Big Medicine Can Learn from the Cheesecake Factory by Atul Gawande
• Out.Of.The.Basement with Beckta, MD: The Code Bundling Conundrum: A Medicare Misadventure (the saga of 77280-77290 and 77301)
• ASTRO Strategic Plan
• Nutting et al., Dysphagia Optimized IMRT
• Kamran et al., Esophagus-Sparing IMRT
• Oncora.ai
• Common Sense Oncology
• The Accelerators Podcast: Mobilize the Canadians! A Workflow Episode
• Protons 101 by Mark Storey, MD

Podcast art generously donated by Dr. Danielle Cunningham. Intro and Outro music by Emmy-award winning artist Lucas Cantor Santiago.

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Dear Radiation Oncology,

Here are some thoughts about ASTRO's methods, and some reflections on ROCR and the updated Proton Model Policy.

It is my plea for a more open and inclusive society.

Love,

Matt 

Here are some things that were discussed in this episode:

• RTanswers.org sarcoma section
• Radiation for Sarcoma Ask Me Anything
• ASTRO Sarcoma PPT slides (and others)
• TAP episode: The One About Jobs
• TAP episode: The One About Jobs (Boost), Facility Volumes
• The Graypeace Article on the Rad Onc Workforce 
• The Virtual Visiting Professor Network lecture featuring Simul has apparently been removed, but a transcription of his famous speech can be found on SDN
• TAP episode: RO-APM
• ASTRO updated proton policy 
• Join Luh, Radiation Oncology Alternative Payment Model's Impact on Small and Rural Practices
• ASTROgram from 5/3 stating that NAPT and Maryland Proton Treatment Center developed the updated proton policy. 
  • ASTRO tried to delete this, see the internet archive instead
• ASTROgram from 5/10 correcting the 5/3 ASTROgram that "mischaracterized" the stakeholders' role.
  • See the internet archive instead
• ASTRO VP of Advocacy Dave Adler on Twitter

The Accelerators Podcast is a production of Photon Media, a division of Cold Light Legacy.

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It's an ACROPOLIS Live! welcome party with the Accelerators (Drs. Anna Brown, Matt Spraker, and Simul Parikh).

In this episode, newly matched #RadOnc residents-to-be Jazmyne Tabb, Tony Menghini, and Ashlynn Clark join the show to talk about the field. 

We discuss the radiation oncology learning curve, our excitement about the future of the field, the new doctors' future plans to spread the word about radiotherapy, and more. 

You will walk away inspired! 

Here are some things that were mentioned during the show:

• TAP Episode: I Can't Get No!... Patient Satisfaction
• TAP Episode: Low Dose Radiotherapy 
• Society of Women in Radiation Oncology (SWRO)
• Ma et al., Patient Experience Performance at a Primary Cancer Center Versus Affiliated Community Facilities
• RadOnc Tables and RadOnc Review Constraints
• eContour
• RadOncQuestions
• ROECSG
• RadOnc Wikibooks
• ACRO PAC
• ASTRO

Podcast art generously donated by Dr. Danielle Cunningham. Intro and Outro music by Emmy-award winning artist Lucas Cantor Santiago.

The Accelerators Podcast is a Photon Media production. 

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In anticipation of our #RadOnc Welcome Party, Accelerators co-host Dr. Simul Parikh records solo!

In this episode, he shares how he thinks #RadOnc has changed since he trained many, many... many years ago. Most things are better, but a few things are worse.

Podcast art generously donated by Dr. Danielle Cunningham. Intro and Outro music by Emmy-award winning artist Lucas Cantor Santiago.

The Accelerators Podcast is a Photon Media production.