ESTRO 2024 - Abstract Book

S5928

RTT - Service evaluation, quality assurance and risk management

ESTRO 2024

2468

Poster Discussion

Clinician perspectives on surface-guidance in paediatric radiation therapy: a qualitative study

James Cumming 1 , Kenton Thompson 1 , Katrina Woodford 1,2,3 , Daniel Sapkaroski 1,4

1 Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Radiation Therapy, Melbourne, Australia. 2 Monash University, Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, Melbourne, Australia. 3 The University Of Melbroune, The Sir Peter MacCallum department of Radiation Oncology, Melbourne, Australia. 4 Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences, Melbourne, Australia

Purpose/Objective:

The accuracy of radiation therapy is of paramount importance in paediatric radiation therapy (RT). Different tools can aid treatment accuracy, including surface-guided radiation therapy (SGRT). SGRT capabilities such as active intra fraction monitoring have resulted in well documented advantages to its use (1-3). However, SGRT literature is dominated by technical analyses and is limited in niche areas such as paediatrics. With growing interest in SGRT, the perspectives of those that utilise the technology should be highly regarded by both those seeking to implement or develop their procedures. This study aims to capture the advantages and disadvantages of using SGRT in the treatment of paediatric patients from a user’s perspective.

Material/Methods:

A semi-structured focus group was conducted with clinical radiation therapists (RTTs) who have treated paediatric patients with SGRT from our centre. The structure of the focus group was designed to elicit conversation around specific topics on the use, practicality, and overall opinion of paediatric SGRT including its impact on patient and parent anxiety. An electronic survey was also distributed to all eligible participants to supplement the focus group data. Surveys were constructed utilising a combination of demographic questions, 5-point Likert scale questions and visual analogue scales to accurately measure psychosocial variables (4). This mixed-methods approach was used to offer different perspectives to the data collection and analysis (5). Thematic analysis was conducted, and ideas identified within the data were coded and sorted into themes following well document methods (6).

Results:

Seventeen radiation therapists were identified as eligible to participate. Of these, 7 participated in the focus group and completed the survey. A further 5 completed the survey alone. Participant clinical RT experience varied from 1 to 17 years. Self-reported experience using SGRT ranged from ‘Beginner’ to ‘Expert’.

Survey data