ESTRO 2024 - Abstract Book

S5783

RTT - Education, training, advanced practice and role developments

ESTRO 2024

makes such skills crucially important to the Therapy Radiographer’s role. However, at present, there is a gap in literature informing proton image verification training.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the extent to which proton imaging training enhances PBT Therapeutic Radiographers’ confidence in reviewing proton plans, with a view of assessing whether content and delivery of the training is appropriate for all staff grades.

Material/Methods:

A mixed methods approach was adopted, utilising questionnaires, followed by a focus group. Ethical approval was gained from the Trust’s clinical audit team, PBT Service Manager and the Trust’s radiotherapy research lead Radiographer. Data was combined through the data analysis course. 21 Radiographers were invited to participate, of various grades, of which all had completed their proton imaging training and induction. All participants were invited to complete a two-part online questionnaire. Part 1 included questions regarding participant demographics and their view of each section of the proton imaging training. Part 2 included the academic behavioural confidence scale, which was designed to measure participants’ confidence in reviewing proton plans prior to and after the imaging training. On completion of the questionnaire, 4 participants took part in a focus group to further explore concepts identified in the questionnaire data. The questionnaire produced descriptive statistics, whilst the focus group produced themes, identified through codes. Thematic analysis was utilised to analyse the data. Qualitative and quantitative data were analysed independently before being integrated through a triangulation procedure, using a convergence coding matrix. Upon completion of the image verification training, participants’ confidence increased notably when reviewing 3D images for different anatomical sites, including head and neck, thorax, pelvis, extremity and whole central nervous system. The pelvis was the anatomical site with the largest increase in participant confidence (29% ‘very confident’ pre-training to 62% ‘very confident’ post-training). Confidence evidently increased post-training regarding problem solving issues with 2DkV and 3D images, annotating reviews and engaging in discussions/debates regarding proton imaging, from 14% to 57% of participants declaring a ‘very confident’ rating. However, 48% (10) participants suggested using proton plan examples would be more beneficial to learn from, as proton plans are ‘very different to photon plans’. Data from the questionnaires and focus group were merged, which identified four main themes: delivery of the proton imaging training, application of proton imaging skills, barriers of the proton imaging training and compliments & criticisms. Data sets were compared and evaluated to assess whether convergence or divergence was apparent. Agreement or partial agreement were determined by the data sets. Results: A 100% response rate was achieved for the completion of the proton imaging training questionnaire.

Conclusion: