ESTRO 2024 - Abstract Book

S5855

RTT - Education, training, advanced practice and role developments

ESTRO 2024

(>80%) found the equipment easy to understand and use; comments from the other five were still positive but felt that they did not always get a chance for hand- on within the group for switching on the simulated beam, or completing the door interlocks themselves; or felt that understanding and use would have been better with treatment delivery software on the computer screens; or that the session was too short. In terms of highlighting specifically the most useful element, nine (32%) mentioned aspects of problem solving, error situations and scenarios; thirteen (46%) highlighted the aspects of switch-on procedures themselves; others mentioned aspects such as the action of interlocks, familiarization with equipment other than their own at their clinical site, and radiation safety. All had suggestions for improving the sessions and/or adding to the equipment used – for example, computer screens with Treatment Delivery software (rather than Treatment Planning and Offline review software as at present); treatment protocols designed for the unique arrangement of equipment within the SLCA (with full patient ID, setup, setting door interlock, on-treatment verification imaging (using VERT), checking treatment plan and parameters etc.). Some wished to have the same switch-on equipment as their own department (Varian as opposed to only the Elekta Linac function keypad in use here [2]).

Conclusion:

This more extensive evaluation of our SLCA has shown that the students find the session useful and generally easy to understand and use. They are positive and engaged in the session and their enthusiasm for its continued use is clear from the suggestions for further improvements. The cohort are now undertaking writing their own treatment protocols to match the unique setup within the SLCA and engage with regulatory checking and practices common to their individual departments. The SLCA has been a valuable asset to our Radiation Therapy Simulation suite and still has room for improvement and development.

Keywords: Radiotherapy, Simulation, Linac

References:

[1] S-J Ketterer et al. Simulated versus traditional therapeutic radiography placements: a randomized controlled trial. Radiog 2020;26:140-146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2019.10.005

[2] M C Kirby et al. The design and construction of a simulated linac control areas (SLCA) for Radiation Therapy. Radiother Oncol 2022;170(S1):S589-S590