American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO)

CME Mission Statement

Society’s Mission
The American Society for Radiation Oncology is dedicated to improving patient care through education, clinical practice, advancement of science, and advocacy.

Purpose
The purpose of the Society’s Continuing Medical Education (CME) program is to (1) identify and address gaps in knowledge, (2) provide high-quality evidence-based education opportunities that are designed to increase our physicians’ competency, (3)  provide a wide range of programs in recognition of the diversity of both our target audience and the communities they serve,  and 4) facilitate lifelong learning and self-assessment to ensure that new information,  knowledge and skills are incorporated into practice. 

Target Audience
The Society’s CME activities primarily are designed for radiation oncology physician members and other Society members who make up the entire cancer treatment team -- including physicists, biologists, radiation oncology administrators, radiation therapists, medical dosimetrists, radiation oncology nurses, and other medical professionals.  ASTRO also focuses on fostering collaboration between radiation oncologists and the larger medical community.  

Types of Activities
ASTRO’s CME activity types include courses, internet live courses, enduring materials, emerging media platforms and journal based CME.  These types of activities are delivered in a variety of formats including hands-on workshops, topic-specific and multidisciplinary symposia, online learning, self-assessment programs, journal articles, live sessions (including refresher courses), panel presentations, proffered paper sessions, and poster discussion sessions.  These delivery methods meet a variety of learner preferences, and are appropriate for the setting, objectives and desired results of the activity. 

Content Areas
ASTRO’s core education content areas will include, but are not limited to, standard, investigational and experimental therapeutics; clinical aspects of external beam radiation therapy and brachytherapy, including altered fractionation, protraction, and dose-rate considerations; basic and translational research related to oncology in general and radiation oncology specifically: oncologic imaging and radiation oncology treatment planning; medical physics; emerging technologies; multidisciplinary oncology care; healthcare policy, reform, cost, quality, value, survivorship, and patient safety; and professionalism in practice.

Specific content topics are identified based on data findings from ongoing assessment using membership surveys and evaluation instruments implemented by ASTRO or affiliated organizations such as the American Board of Radiology (ABR).  Other relevant data are reviewed from national sources, clinical trials, subject matter experts, initial and maintenance of certification requirements and committees established within ASTRO to identify continuous learning opportunities and ongoing quality improvement strategies. 

Embracing a multidisciplinary approach to cancer care is essential to quality care. Research from basic and translational scientists, medical and surgical oncologists, pathologists, and other physician experts enhances the interdisciplinary nature of ASTRO’s overall CME program. 

Expected Results
The ASTRO CME program is designed to give learners an opportunity to increase their level of knowledge and skills, as required to improve competency in radiation oncology and affiliated aspects of oncology.  Our expectation is that learner-participants will subsequently apply new strategies and make appropriate practice modifications. 

Reviewed and Approved by ASTRO BOD, October, 2009
Reviewed and Approved by ASTRO BOD, June, 2008
Revised May 2008, September 2009, and October 2010
Approved by ASTRO BOD, January 2011
Revised April 2012
Approved by ASTRO BOD, April 24, 2012
Revised September 2016