ESTRO 2025 - Abstract Book

S4217

RTT - Education, training, advanced practice and role developments

ESTRO 2025

1 Faculty of Health, Sports and Welfare, Inholland University of applied sciences, Haarlem, Netherlands. 2 Proton therapy department, Holland Proton Therapy Centre, Delft, Netherlands

Purpose/Objective: Proton therapy (PT) is increasingly important in cancer treatment. However, the absence of practical courses dedicated to PT makes it difficult to meet the growing need for skilled RTTs, dosimetrists, and medical physicists. Therefore, we developed in co-creation a Master’s-level educational program (EQF level 7). The objective was to create an interactive, real-world learning environment that bridges academic knowledge with clinical practice, enhancing collaboration and equipping students with advanced skills in PT. Material/Methods: The project group, (expert RTTs, a physicist, lecturers and a physician) designed three modules. Constructive alignment principles were followed to integrate learning objectives, teaching methods, and assessments. While the modules are structured in sequence, they can also be taken as stand-alone courses, offering flexibility based on students’ prior knowledge. The blended learning approach promotes higher-order thinking skills. Students progress through alternating learning waves of theoretical learning and practical activities: discussions, self-paced tasks, web lectures, quizzes and academic readings (fig 1).

The incorporation of new AI tools, interactive documents, and peer feedback was specifically designed to foster reflective learning and active engagement, creating an interactive learning experience. Evaluation of the new program was collected via questionnaires and oral evaluations after each module. Results: Three modules have been developed (fig. 2): the first, Fundamentals , introduces PT principles, such as proton physics, patient selection and comparing photon and proton plans. Modules two and three focus on proton treatment planning (TP), covering planning fundamentals, practical skills, physics and hands-on training using RayStation® and Proton-VERT®. The advanced TP course emphasizes adaptive techniques like LET calculations, robust evaluation strategies using clinical reasoning through peer and expert collaboration.

Evaluation results showed 90% of students completing all tasks and attending each session. Students highly valued hands-on practice, interactive sessions, the quality of the lecturers and peer discussions, which contributed to a deeper understanding. However, students expressed a desire for even more interactive opportunities. This