ESTRO 2025 - Abstract Book

S2207

Interdisciplinary – Education in radiation oncology

ESTRO 2025

4448

Digital Poster Interregional collaboration to skill enhancement in proton therapy - a digital approach

Lukas A Hirschi 1 , Amalie Utne 1 , Kari Fredheim 1 , Taran Paulsen Hellebust 2 , Camilla Hægeland 2 , Maren Ugland 1 , Karsten Rydén-Eilertsen 2 , Terje Nordberg 1 , Janne H Tunstad 3 , Marianne G Guren 2 , Monika Eidem 4 , Rune Sylvarnes 3 , Anne Dybdahl Wanderås 4 1 Department of Radiation Therapy, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. 2 Department of Radiation Therapy, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. 3 Department of Radiation Therapy, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway. 4 Department of Radiation Therapy, St. Olavs University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway Purpose/Objective: In 2018, the Norwegian government launched a national proton therapy program to provide nationwide access to proton therapy for eligible patients. The program established treatment centers in Oslo and Bergen, integrated into existing radiotherapy facilities, with the goal of also serving patients from the other nine hospitals in Norway that deliver radiation therapy. Coordination of the program was assigned to the national operational working group. To support this initiative, specialized training is required for radiation therapy professionals to identify and assess patients suitable for proton therapy. Material/Methods: In response, a dedicated national working group was formed in 2021 developed a comprehensive competency plan, outlining the necessary skills for various occupational groups (physicians, radiotherapists, dosimetrists, and medical physicists). The plan identified over 300 learning objectives, categorized by proficiency level, to structure training efforts. Although the framework provided guidance, individual professional groups were responsible for developing training materials. By early 2024, the learning objectives needed to be translated into activities. The project, supervised by the national operational group aimed to develop a national, standardized, and user-friendly platform aligned with the competency plan. Its primary goal was to create fully digitized, centrally stored content for easy maintenance. The teaching courses were designed to be modular, with advanced levels building upon foundational content. Results: Two teaching courses have been developed in alignment with the competency plan: a basic course and a specialist course. • Basic course: Designed for staff at centers without proton planning capabilities and for new staff at centers that provide proton treatments. It includes narrated presentations created and cross-verified by the two proton centers, along with supplementary resources such as recommended readings and alternative courses. Regular digital sessions are arranged for questions and discussions on various topics. All learning materials are integrated into a digital competency management system, enabling staff to monitor progress and access the most current teaching materials. • Specialist course: Currently under development, this course will build on the basic course, emphasizing practical, hands-on training while minimizing the use of presentations. Conclusion: By November 2024, Norway has successfully established and implemented a digital, national competency program to standardize training and skill development across the country. This program ensures consistent and equitable access to high-quality proton therapy by offering a coordinated teaching framework for radiation therapy professionals. Collaboration between Oslo and Bergen has been crucial in creating a unified approach, leveraging shared expertise to support high-quality training for all staff involved in proton therapy.

Keywords: learning, platform, national