ESTRO 2024 - Abstract Book

S2737

Interdisciplinary - Global health

ESTRO 2024

to remotely review radiotherapy contours delineated by clinicians in LMICs, however, poor internet connectivity and insufficient information technology infrastructure limited the software’s implementation (7).

Therefore, we developed a new cloud-based software, designed specifically for use in LMICs, for remote review and feedback of contours. Additionally, this software creates a trainee educational portfolio to track skill development and provide a repository of previous plans and feedback. Here we present our evaluation of the pilot of this new technology.

Material/Methods:

A cloud-based training software, ‘ACE-RT’, was co-designed with oncologists in Ghana, Zambia, Indonesia and the UK to facilitate remote feedback on contours and form a portfolio of cases to record a clinician’s skill development. The co-development involved assessing bandwidth, user interface and functionality to meet needs in an LMIC setting. The software is non-commercial, designed for educational use. Following the needs-led development phase, the software was tested by a trainer (radiation oncology consultant) and trainee (radiation oncology resident) over several tumour sites at the partner institution in Jakarta, Indonesia between April-September 2023. A questionnaire informed by Proctor’s implementation outcome framework (8) was used to evaluate the software and completed by both the trainer and trainee.

Results:

Both trainer and trainee reported that ACE-RT made it easier to provide and receive tailored feedback compared to their previous practice. The trainer found the software alleviated the need to meet in-person at a workstation. Both found the quality of feedback improved. The trainee reported the quantity of feedback also improved however, the trainer noted no change in feedback quantity. Both found the portfolio function useful, appreciating the educational value of reviewing previous contours. The trainer believed the portfolio enabled the trainee to review their skill development, identifying specific learning needs. The main implementation barrier identified was poor internet connectivity, which could interrupt case upload and image loading. Another barrier identified was the complexity of exporting files from the treatment planning system requiring specific instructions.

Conclusion:

This evaluation of a cloud-based educational portfolio tool to improve training in radiotherapy contouring found it to be feasible, acceptable and appropriate for use in a resource-limited setting. Both trainee and trainer found the tool improved the quality of feedback provided and believed it could improve training in their department. Unstable internet connectivity was the main barrier identified. Further work is required to improve the software’s performance with variable internet speeds and evaluate the implementation in a range of centres over time.

Keywords: Education, contouring, cloud-based

References:

1. Ferlay J, Laversanne M, Ervik M, Lam F, Colombet M, Mery L, et al. Global Cancer Observatory: Cancer Tomorrow. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer. 2020.