Health care Professionals

Visiting physician program

A visiting physician is a medical doctor with recent patient primary care experience who rotates through the clinical services of the Blood and Marrow Transplantation (BMT) units. The selection process is competitive and only the most qualified candidates will be accepted as there are a limited number of spots available at any given time. Doctors interested in Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center's Visiting Physician Program should contact our department for more information.

Fred Hutch Visiting Physician Program

email visitingmd@seattlecca.org

Program information

Training requirements

For US graduates applying for the Adult BMT program, there is a minimum education of two years of US residency in internal medicine (and hematology or oncology training is preferred). For foreign graduates applying for the Adult BMT program, a minimum of 2 years of documented training in internal medicine and hematology or oncology fellowship training is mandatory. For pediatrics, completion of a pediatric residency and at least one clinical year of training in an accredited pediatric hematology/oncology fellowship program are required.

All foreign applicants who wish to have a hands-on experience must also possess a visa type that allows patient care.

Proficiency in English language is required for acceptance into the program.

Bone marrow transplant The process of treating disease with high doses of chemotherapy, radiation therapy or both. Bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells are given after treatment to help the body make more blood cells. The process of treating disease with high doses of chemotherapy, radiation therapy or both. Because this treatment destroys the bone marrow’s ability to produce blood cells, bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells are given after treatment to help the body make more blood cells.

Minimum rotation length

The number of months is determined by the medical director and the visiting physician. For foreign physicians there is a six month minimum. For US residents/fellows there is a one month minimum.

Inpatient service

On the inpatient service, the visiting physician provides care under the direct supervision of the scheduled attending for five to six (5-6) patients on one of our two blood and bone marrow transplant wards, along with other visitors and our own residents, hematology and oncology fellows, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Additional responsibilities include procedures such as lumbar punctures and bone marrow harvesting, critical care, daily rounds, and on-call duties. Visiting physicians should be prepared for an intensive inpatient experience. Weekday hours are 07:30 to approximately 17:30.

Bone marrow The soft, spongy material in the center of your bones that produces all your blood cells, such as white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. Nurse practitioner A registered nurse who has additional education and training in how to diagnose and treat disease. In cancer care, a nurse practitioner may manage the primary care of patients and their families. A registered nurse who has additional education and training in how to diagnose and treat disease. Nurse practitioners are licensed at the state level and certified by national nursing organizations. In cancer care, a nurse practitioner may manage the primary care of patients and their families, based on a practice agreement with a physician. Physician assistant A health professional who is licensed to do certain medical procedures under the guidance of a physician. A health professional who is licensed to do certain medical procedures under the guidance of a physician. A physician assistant may take medical histories, do physical exams, take blood and urine samples, care for wounds and give injections and immunizations.

Outpatient service

Visiting physicians may also rotate through the Outpatient Department (OPD). Responsibilities include evaluating patients and donors as they arrive in Seattle (pre-transplant) and caring for problems after discharge from the Inpatient Service (before the patient returns home).

Visiting physicians provide care under the direct supervision of the scheduled attending and should be prepared for an intensive outpatient experience. In the OPD, the services are divided into adult autologous, adult allogeneic (including unrelated donor), and pediatric sections. Hours are weekdays 0800-1800 and may include a weekend. There is no overnight call. Visiting physicians must spend at least one month on the inpatient service before they can rotate in the OPD.

Consultation services

In addition, the visiting physician may rotate through the consultation services of Gastroenterology, Infectious Disease, Pulmonary/Intensive Care, and Long Term Follow-Up. The visiting physician does not provide any patient care on the consultation services.

Observation

Visiting physicians may also apply to have an observational visit to areas of interest including Inpatient, Allogeneic or Autologous Outpatient, Long Term Follow-Up and other consultation services. Observation allows visiting physicians to shadow patient care with the attendings and team, but they cannot provide any patient care.

There is no minimum time requirement to observe although there is a maximum length of observation depending on the service. This may be preferable for those physicians who are not able to come for the minimum rotation length.

Watchful waiting Closely watching a patient’s condition but not giving treatment unless symptoms appear or change. During watchful waiting, patients may be given certain tests and exams. Closely watching a patient’s condition but not giving treatment unless symptoms appear or change. Watchful waiting is sometimes used in conditions that progress slowly. It is also used when the risks of treatment are greater than the possible benefits. During watchful waiting, patients may be given certain tests and exams. Watchful waiting is sometimes used in prostate cancer. It is a type of expectant management.

Compensation

There is no compensation provided by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. Medical insurance is not provided by the center, but is highly recommended for all visiting physicians.

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