ESTRO 2025 - Abstract Book

S2193

Interdisciplinary – Education in radiation oncology

ESTRO 2025

3292

Digital Poster Enhancing radiotherapy education: The Nordic radiotherapy diploma program (NORTHDIP) initiative Karolina Vernmark 1 , Jens Engleson 2,3 , Christoph Evers 4 , Jeppe Friborg 5 , Mattias Hedman 6 , René van Helvoirt 4 , Pauliina Kitti 7 , Tanja Skyttä 8 , Vaka Ýr Sævarsdóttir 9 , Leila Vaalavirta 10 , Ivan Vogelius 11 1 Department of Oncology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. 2 Department of Oncology, Skåne University hospital, Malmö, Sweden. 3 Department of Radiation Oncology, Karolinska University hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. 4 Center for cancer treatment, Sørlandet hospital trust, Kristiansand, Norway. 5 Department of Oncology, Rigshospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. 6 Department of Radiation Oncology, Karolinska University Hospital, Department of oncology-pathology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. 7 Comprehensive Cancer Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. 8 Department of Oncology and Tays Cancer Center, Tampere University Hospital, Wellbeing Services county of Pirkanmaa, Tampere, Finland. 9 Department of Radiotherapy, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland. 10 Center for cancer treatment, Docrates Cancer Center, Helsinki, Finland. 11 Department of Oncology, Rigshospitalet & Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark Purpose/Objective: In the Nordic countries, oncologists are trained as clinical oncologists, which includes expertise in both medical oncology and radiation oncology. However, after completing their general training, there is a recognized need for additional, specialized radiotherapy courses tailored for those focusing on radiation therapy. There is a gap between actual and required knowledge in resident physicians regarding radiation oncology, which may worsen as technology advances without adequate education [1]. Only 21.1% of the respondents in a French study declared having acquired all the competencies required for their professional practice during their initial training [2]. The Nordic Radiotherapy Diploma Program (NORTHDIP) is an advanced training program for clinical oncologists in the Nordic countries: Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. NORTHDIP aims to enhance radiotherapy skills among Nordic clinical oncologists specializing in radiotherapy and to inspire future collaboration in research and development. Material/Methods: To assess the current level of knowledge in radiation oncology among resident clinical oncologists, interviews were conducted with residents in the Nordic countries. The results of the interviews were then compared to the ESTRO core curricula to establish a target level of knowledge. The analysis pinpointed key areas for improvement, which were grouped into themes and allocated among the countries, leading to five main program components. • Radiophysics, treatment planning and the role of AI in radiotherapy. • Radiobiology, Benign Diseases, and Palliative Radiotherapy • Reirradiation, Stereotactic Radiotherapy, and BNCT Treatment • Integrating New Radiotherapy Treatment Options: Imaging Techniques, Adaptive Radiotherapy, and Proton Therapy • Development of Protocols and Designing Effective Radiotherapy Trials Results: NORTHDIP is a two-year program comprising clinical work in the radiotherapy department and five one-week course modules, each addressing one of the key areas mentioned above and hosted by a different Nordic country. The first module was held in Sweden in October 2024, with subsequent sessions scheduled in Norway, Finland, Denmark and Iceland. The program combines pre-course assignments with on-site teaching and training. The Swedish module and the upcoming Norwegian module have been endorsed by ESTRO, whilst the other three countries are finalizing their programs. There was a great interest for the first program. Thirty participants were accepted, with an additional 30 expressing strong interest in future programs. Preference was given to junior clinical oncologists with less than five years of radiotherapy experience.