ESTRO 2024 - Abstract Book

S5741

RTT - Education, training, advanced practice and role developments

ESTRO 2024

Following the responses to both surveys, table 1 presents a CPD educational needs framework for Belgian RTTs.

The RTTs identified the most urgent CPD educational needs as those considered the core competencies of an RTT (e.g. on-treatment verification (IGRT), image acquisition and virtual simulation, external beam treatment delivery). Non-RTT stakeholders have reinforced this evaluation by identifying the core competencies of an RTT to require immediate attention in RTT CPD. Although greater urgency was identified in the provision of basic RT-specific education, other areas of additional training were identified, such as modern RT technologies and techniques or other areas complementary to RT (e.g. radio-chemotherapy, immunotherapy).

Conclusion:

This study revealed Belgian RTTs to have CPD educational needs mainly related to their basic RT-specific education, especially for staff with a nursing background. This also limits the potential for further education and research in the field. Our study emphasises the need for a national initiative to prioritise learning gaps and therefore proposes a CPD educational framework.

Based on our findings, the Belgian federal education system should implement and regulate a nationwide CPD program for RTTs and ensure this program to be part of the Belgian cancer plan for the years to come.

Keywords: CPD, educational needs, assessment