ESTRO 38 Abstract book

S300 ESTRO 38

treatments are delivered with a timely and high quality approach. An established change in the oncology team workforce has been the diversifying role of the radiation therapist (RTT). This is evident in advanced practice (AP) roles detailed in the evidence base. The aim of this presentation is to describe the background of AP role development throughout Europe for RTTs, and give an overview of the literature supporting benefits of their implementation. Examples of AP roles within the RTT profession will be given, illustrating how their development has been in response to service/departmental needs. The evaluation of AP roles will be discussed, giving consideration to the benefit and impact they have on patient care. Finally, new roles bring about many opportunities for career development and progression to expert practice. This is advantageous to the RTT profession and the multi-disciplinary team. SP-0572 Education and Advance Practice - Defining level EQF 7 and 8 competencies M. Coffey 1 1 Trinity College Dublin, Discipline of Radiation Therapy, Dublin, Ireland Abstract text From an RTT perspective radiotherapy is the use of rapidly evolving technology in the preparation and treatment of cancer patients. This incorporates consideration of the technology and techniques used, the psychosocial management of a diverse patient population, the organisational structure and departmental relationships and current working practices. As a member of the radiotherapy team the RTT must be in a position to positively influence practice and to support effective and efficient service delivery. Evidence from many countries has shown how the development of diverse roles and responsibilities of RTTs has succeeded in achieving this. Unfortunately, in most instances, these developments are not linked to specialist education, professional development, career progression or associated salary increase. The failure to link these elements together results in lack of professional recognition in the wider context leading ultimately to role erosion and restriction of the potential of RTTs going forward. It is important for the recognition of the profession that education underpins defined advanced practice roles to enable a career structure to be put in place at a national and international level. While non- specific education is directly beneficial to the individual and is therefore worthwhile, it does not progress the overall profession in the same way. In this context we decided to define specific roles and responsibilities in the EQF 7 & 8 although the context and content is sufficiently broad to also enable individual development in other areas as they evolve. The roles associated with each area are sub-divided into level 7 or 8 depending on the level of responsibility expected and the education level achieved. This underpins the development of a career structure which supports professional advancement of RTTs and the provision of more efficient and effective service delivery. The roles defined in the ESTRO EQF level 7 & 8 benchmarking document include: advanced contouring and volume determination, treatment planning, advanced imaging: IGRT and ART, management, patient care and support, brachytherapy, research and education. SP-0573 Incorporation radiation therapist RTT into radiation oncologist RO team B. Bak 1 , J. Michalewska 1 , A. Machtyl 1 , P. Martenka 2 1 Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Department Of Radiotherapy, Poznan, Poland ; 2 Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Radiotherapy Ward 1, Poznan, Poland

performed simulations with voxelized rat CT images of those animals used in experimental trials. Fig.1 shows representative dosimetry maps in three irradiation scenarios. Simulated results provide us a powerful quantitative understanding of the dose distributions within the animal brain. pMBRT leads to a significant increase of glioma tumor control, with 22 % of tumor sterilization. No substantial brain damage was observed neither in the long-term survival tumor-bearing rats nor in the irradiated normal rats, which confirms the widening of the therapeutic window for gliomas offered by pMBRT.

Figure 1: Left: Dose distribution inside the CT rat head in three main irradiation scenarios: broad beam (left), pMBRT (center), and pMBRT (plus solid-water) targeting the tumor position. Right: Corresponding lateral dose profile for the pMBRT case at the tumor position (ML: 5 mm, AP: -3 mm, DV: 5.5 mm). Conclusion A dose calculation engine for pMBRT has been developed. This tool allows us to reliable guide and interpret the results of our biological experiments. [1] Prezado Y, Fois G. Med Phys. 2013; 40:031712 [2] Prezado et al., Scientific Reports 7, Article number: 14403 (2017) [3] Peucelle C, Nauraye C, Patriarca A, et al. Med Phys. 2015; 42:7108–7113 SP-0571 Defining advanced practice roles specifically in radiotherapy A. Duffton 1 1 Inst. of Cancer Sciences-Univ. Glasgow, Research and Development Radiographer, Glasgow, United Kingdom Abstract text The demand for radiotherapy services in the management of cancer has continued to increase over recent years. This has been due to a number of factors including: an ageing population, the ability to treat previously untreated cancers and the curative benefit of RT being realised within clinical trials. As more patients require RT to be delivered as part of their curative or palliative disease management, it has been necessary for service delivery and the workforce to evolve and meet these demands. To deliver good outcomes, professionals must ensure these Symposium: Education and Advance Practice