ESTRO 2024 - Abstract Book

S5810

RTT - Education, training, advanced practice and role developments

ESTRO 2024

1856

Digital Poster

Radiation therapists implication in research and transversal projects - Experience of Caen Center

Catherine Huynh, Céline Martin, Elodie Dutot, Audrey Larnaudie

Centre François Baclesse, Radiotherapy, Caen, France

Purpose/Objective:

The profession of radiation therapist (RTT) has evolved rapidly with change and diversity of the techniques, from 3D to SBRT and proton therapy. Research has a fundamental place in radiotherapy and is now on the RTT student training program. Several research projects and transversal activities carried out by RTT were realised in the François Baclesse Cancer Center in Caen, France .This work evaluated the clinical impact, the difficulties encountered and discussed the possibilities for improvement.

Material/Methods:

Transversal role and projects carried out by RTT were retrospectively studied between 2013 and 2023 in the department of Radiotherapy of Baclesse Cancer Center. Two categories were separated: direct involvement in clinical research studies and implication in department transversal research projects or activity. The proportion of RTT involved, the prior training carried out, the duration of the project, the consequence in terms of patient care and communication (article, poster, oral presentation) were analysed.

Results:

RTT represent around 60 persons in the radiation department of Baclesse Cancer Care Center. Concerning medical clinical research, only 2% of the RTT were able to have dedicated time for partial involvement in the management of ongoing clinical studies. For implication in transversal activity, the number of RTT varied between 2 and 6 by research projects or activity, representing ≤10% of the workforce. Twelve projects or transversal activities were mainly carried out by RTT. Four were developed >10 years ago, four started 1 to 10 years ago and four were developed for less than 1 year. The areas concerned: treatment preparation, management of complication during treatment, RTT consultation and post treatment satisfaction. Complication management projects enabled the creation of service protocols with variable medical adherence (from 10 to 100%). The treatment preparation projects helped technical choices. RTT consultation are still used with careful selection of the patient. Concerning the post-treatment evaluation projects, evaluation of patients’ satisfaction permitted an adaptation of the practices. Less than 20% of the research project or transversal activity led to a publication or an oral communication or a poster presented in national or international congress.

Conclusion: