ESTRO 2025 - Abstract Book

S4216

RTT - Education, training, advanced practice and role developments

ESTRO 2025

419

Digital Poster Developing the role of Advanced Practice Radiation Therapist: NCIS experience. Guan Da Ho, Chiou Yen Koh, Yuen Nee Yvonne Loh RTC, NCIS, SINGAPORE, Singapore

Purpose/Objective: With the development of advanced treatment techniques, state-of-the-art radiation equipment and the increasing use of multiple treatment modalities, it is evident that the patient’s treatment journey is becoming more customised and complex. There is an increasing need for centres to develop the role of advanced practice radiation therapist (APRT) to help manage the increasing complexity of patient’s treatment. This initiation will also complement the incorporation of new developments and practices based on emerging evidence into the department’s workflow. We aim to share the journey in the development of the APRT role in National University Cancer Institute Singapore (NCIS). Material/Methods: Two tracks of APRT are identified for development in NCIS, namely Head and Neck (HNN) and Palliative (PAL) sites. Multifaceted approaches were used in providing the trainings needed for these new roles. Work shadowing, such as attachments to hospitals with developed APRT tracks, and on-the-job training were some of the modes used. The aim is to provide a better understanding of the extent of current practices of APRTs in other institutes and instill a holistic approach in enhancing their exposure of patient’s treatment journey. For attachments to hospitals, both trainees were given the opportunity for an overseas attachment with a couple of hospitals in Toronto, including Princess Margaret Hospital, where they get to shadow the Clinical Specialists of their respective field of interest. There was also attachment with the HNN APRT of a local hospital, which has developed 5 APRT positions thus far. On-the-job training includes sitting in with the radiation oncologist for patient’s first consultation, follow-up consultation and attending multi-disciplinary tumour board. Didactic lectures given by ROs pertaining to their sites were also made available for the trainees. Results: After consolidating the results of the training, we have broadly categorized the role of an APRT into 4 domains: Clinical, Research, Teaching and Administration. This is based on the roles identified by both the trainees and the institute, derived from the experiences from the attachments and on-the-job training. The illustration of these 4 domains will shape the job scope, responsibilities and guide the future developments of the APRT role. Conclusion: Multitude of factors may affect how a department develop the role of APRT in their institute. It is important for both the department and the RT taking up the role to agree on the job scope so that there is clear direction in the role development and extent of boundaries in this new role.

Keywords: Radiation Therapist, Head and Neck, Pallative

438

Proffered Paper Innovative proton therapy training and education: Using blended(-learning) waves 2.0 Ingrid T Kuijper 1 , Harmen Bijwaard 1 , Eva van Weerd 2 , Jenneke Jacobs 2 , Jeremy Godart 2 , Michiel Kroesen 2 , Emmy Lamers-Kuijper 1 , Catarina Hendriques Xavier 2 , Jelle S Scheurleer 1