ESTRO 2025 - Abstract Book

S2190

Interdisciplinary – Education in radiation oncology

ESTRO 2025

Keywords: patient, anxiety, physicist

References: 1. Holmes, N. & Williamson, K. A survey of cancer patients undergoing a radical course of radiotherapy, to establish levels of anxiety and depression. J Radiother Pract 7 , 89–98 (2008). 2. Atwood, T. F. et al. Examining the Effect of Direct Patient Care for Medical Physicists: A Randomized Prospective Phase III Trial. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 115 , 224–232 (2023).

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Digital Poster Skin radiotherapy as part of a training programme for dermatology residents in UK - 2024 update Buket Beresford-Wylie 1 , Agata Rembielak 2,3 1 Dermatology, Northern Care Alliance, Manchester, United Kingdom. 2 Clinical Oncology, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom. 3 Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom Purpose/Objective: Radiotherapy is an important treatment option for skin cancers and training exposure is limited amongst dermatology residents. The UK dermatology national curriculum mandates that trainees must obtain specific competencies within radiotherapy, specifically understanding the principles, indications as well risks and benefits of this treatment modality. Trainees are responsible for arranging means of fulfilling this requirement which may either be through observerships or independent study. However, the quality of training in this area can be extremely varied which can in turn affect the quality of radiotherapy referrals received to radiotherapy departments. This can subsequently limit treatment choices offered to patients. Material/Methods: To address this unmet need, we have developed an innovative programme which delivers these competencies within the UK North-Western Dermatology Deanery. The training programme consists of a radiotherapy training day and participation in regular skin radiotherapy clinics over 3-month period at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK. The radiotherapy training day consists of interactive lectures covering curriculum objectives, followed by small group practical sessions exploring radiotherapy equipment as well as procedures and patient contact. This is delivered by a multi-disciplinary team involving radiotherapy doctors, radiographers and medical physicists. The clinics included new and follow-up patients with skin cancer, skin marking planning sessions and on treatment reviews. Results: Feedback was obtained through anonymised survey responses and feedback forms. The initial report was presented at ESTRO 2020. We are now presenting an updated report based on feedback from almost 40 trainees who attended the rotation. On average responders graded their knowledge below average, reporting a 4 out 10 on a graded scale. Following the programme, responders rated themselves as confident for various learning objectives. These learning objectives included the following: indications and contraindications for skin radiotherapy, optimal patients to refer for radiotherapy, methods of delivering radiotherapy, patient compliance, management of skin toxicities, radiotherapy planning and shielding, geriatric assessment, dealing with patients who lack capacity and patients’ involvement in the decision making process. Conclusion: Overall, the programme was very well received and it succeeded in sufficiently increasing knowledge and confidence amongst dermatology residents in skin radiotherapy. Further incorporation of this programme into dermatology training and addition of regular radiotherapy clinics into the dermatology resident rota have now