ESTRO 2024 - Abstract Book

S5794

RTT - Education, training, advanced practice and role developments

ESTRO 2024

A total of 314 RTT working in Scottish Radiotherapy Centres (n=5) were invited to participate. All questions included in the final survey scored above 0.78 I-CVI. From March to June 2023 a total of 102/314 (32.5%) RTT responded to the electronic survey. Of the participants 89.2% (n= 91) were female and 10.8% (n=11) were male, in the age range of 18 64. Participants had a diverse range of experience, with 47% being rotational in the clinic. 97.1% of RTT have achieved under- or post-graduate education, with 2 (2%) awarded a PhD, 32.3% MSc, 5.9% postgraduate-certificate (PGC), and 57% BSc. A number of RTT were currently working towards further education, included MSc (15.7%) and PhD (2.9%). The results of the 5-point Likert-scale statements showed a majority of positive attitude to research and development amongst RTT in Scotland (Figure 1). The majority agreed or strongly agreed they were confident they have sufficient research skills to inform EBP (n = 58/102, 56.9%), felt encouraged to discuss rationale for practice (n = 64, 62.7%), felt confident discussing EBP with colleagues (n = 67, 65.7%) and 87.2% (n=89) felt research is important for role development. Some of the lowest mean scores (SD) were observed for the following statements: I know how to get involved in research 3.2 (1.2), I have been given the opportunity to get involved in research 3.2 (1.1) and I am well informed about current research projects in my department 3. 2 (1.1). 57.8% (n = 59/102) of RTT disagreed or strongly disagreed that they were confident they would be provided adequate time to be involved in research. Six themes were identified during thematic analysis of the open-box questions, where participants used their own words describe their answers: 1 - access to time, 2 - access to opportunity, funding and resources, 3 - access to information, training and peer support, 4 - access to managerial support, 5 - work culture and environment, 6 - attitudes, personal interest and confidence in abilities. These answers added depth and richness to the Likert-scale statements, for example, 51% of participants stated access to time as a barrier. Adaptive radiotherapy, artificial intelligence and MRI were the most identified practice changing innovations where RTT thought research skills are key to development.