NORTHDIP

NORTHDIP is a two-year advanced training program in radiation oncology for clinical oncologists. Upon completion of the program, participants are expected to have scientifically grounded clinical proficiency in the assessment and treatment of patients requiring radiotherapy.

Dates for the residential courses

By the conclusion of the program, candidates are expected to possess scientifically grounded clinical proficiency in the assessment and treatment of patients requiring radiotherapy. The overarching training objectives of the program are divided into five thematic areas:

1. Principles in Modern Radiotherapy: This area covers the physical principles of radiotherapy, dose planning, organs at risk (OARs) and dose constraints, fundamentals of particle therapy, advanced radiotherapy technologies, and the role of artificial intelligence in radiotherapy, including its advantages, limitations, and challenges.

2. Radiobiology, benign diseases and palliative radiotherapy: This topic includes radiobiological modeling and its application in daily clinical practice, the use of radiotherapy for benign diseases, and palliative radiotherapy, with an emphasis on transitioning from opinion-based to evidence-based treatment.

3. Reirradiation, Stereotactic Radiotherapy, and Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT): This section focuses on advanced treatment strategies, including reirradiation, stereotactic radiotherapy, and BNCT-based treatments.

4. Integrating New Radiotherapy Treatment Options: This area addresses retrospective adaptive radiotherapy, prospective plan-of-the-day adaptation, the use of imaging modalities (CBCT and MRI), dose accumulation, and the integration of proton therapy into clinical practice.

5. Development of Protocols and Designing Effective Radiotherapy Trials: Candidates will learn how to develop clinical protocols and design high-quality radiotherapy trials..

Criteria for Application

Applicants must have completed specialist training in clinical oncology. Preference will be given to specialists with less than five years of experience in a radiotherapy department. Applicants from both university and non-university hospitals are encouraged to apply.

Each country has a national committee responsible for selecting candidates, while the Nordic steering committee will allocate any remaining positions. All NORTHDIP members—including applicants, participants, and steering committee members—are expected to uphold high standards of professional conduct and mutual respect.

Course Outline

The program consists of three integrated components aligned with the training objectives:

• Clinical Practice: Participants must work in a clinical setting where radiotherapy is routinely delivered. A written agreement with the employing department is required and must outline participation in the program, clinical duties, tutorials, and quality improvement activities.

• Directed Self-Study and Distance Learning: Candidates are expected to complete the theoretical and practical training specified in the training objectives. The program provides lectures and educational materials based on best available evidence and current best practices.

• Residential Courses: Five residential courses are held in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland. These courses bring participants together to network and share knowledge and experience. Each course focuses on one of the five thematic areas and consists of three days of on-site training.

More detailed information about the content of the course can be found here.

Certification

Upon successful completion of all program components, participants will be awarded the NORTHDIP Diploma.

Admission fee

NORTHDIP is a non-profit program. The participation fee is €5,000 excl VAT, which covers the educational program and residential courses, including accommodation and meals. Travel expenses are not included. Full payment is required prior to entry into the program.

Over the two-year period, the program includes five one-week residential courses, held in each of the Nordic countries. Applicants must therefore be willing to travel and to participate in all five course components, which is essential for building a strong Nordic network of clinical oncologists.

Each course consist of online training that can be completed in the participant’s home country and three days of on-site training. The program is conducted in English.