Image-Guided Radiation Therapy Education Template

Abstract

Purpose behind Practice InnovationIn November 2011, the Radiation Therapy Community of Practice (RT CoP) was formed as an initiative of Cancer Care Ontario. Radiation therapists representing each of the 14 Ontario Cancer Centres brainstormed areas of interest to improve radiation therapist practice province-wide.Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) education was unanimously identified as a subject that varied greatly between cancer centres. Whether the centre was changing to newer technology or simply hiring new or reintegrating staff, it was recognized that IGRT training for radiation therapists had become a high priority in providing quality care to patients. Therefore, as a commitment to best practice, the RT CoP developed an IGRT Education Template.Technique/Process UsedThe IGRT Education Template is designed to serve as a starting point for each centre to adapt centre specific policies and procedures. Major categories that are included in the template are: Cross Sectional Anatomy, Linear Accelerator Hardware/Software Overview, Site Specific IGRT Learning Modules, IGRT Quality Assurance Rounds & Additional Resources.Benefits/ChallengesEach centre will have an IGRT Education Template in place to ensure best practice and equal knowledge across the province. Radiation therapists can (re)develop IGRT skills by following the centre’s completed template. The challenge was to create the framework that could be adaptable to each cancer centres policies and procedures. The upcoming challenge is to maintain equal knowledge amongst the provinces’ cancer centres with the future advances in technology.Future Work/ImplicationsOntario is the first province in Canada to attempt to standardize a therapist driven process to create best practice across the province. The next step is to implement the IGRT Education Template and evaluate its effectiveness in the workplace. Purpose behind Practice InnovationIn November 2011, the Radiation Therapy Community of Practice (RT CoP) was formed as an initiative of Cancer Care Ontario. Radiation therapists representing each of the 14 Ontario Cancer Centres brainstormed areas of interest to improve radiation therapist practice province-wide.Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) education was unanimously identified as a subject that varied greatly between cancer centres. Whether the centre was changing to newer technology or simply hiring new or reintegrating staff, it was recognized that IGRT training for radiation therapists had become a high priority in providing quality care to patients. Therefore, as a commitment to best practice, the RT CoP developed an IGRT Education Template. In November 2011, the Radiation Therapy Community of Practice (RT CoP) was formed as an initiative of Cancer Care Ontario. Radiation therapists representing each of the 14 Ontario Cancer Centres brainstormed areas of interest to improve radiation therapist practice province-wide. Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) education was unanimously identified as a subject that varied greatly between cancer centres. Whether the centre was changing to newer technology or simply hiring new or reintegrating staff, it was recognized that IGRT training for radiation therapists had become a high priority in providing quality care to patients. Therefore, as a commitment to best practice, the RT CoP developed an IGRT Education Template. Technique/Process UsedThe IGRT Education Template is designed to serve as a starting point for each centre to adapt centre specific policies and procedures. Major categories that are included in the template are: Cross Sectional Anatomy, Linear Accelerator Hardware/Software Overview, Site Specific IGRT Learning Modules, IGRT Quality Assurance Rounds & Additional Resources. The IGRT Education Template is designed to serve as a starting point for each centre to adapt centre specific policies and procedures. Major categories that are included in the template are: Cross Sectional Anatomy, Linear Accelerator Hardware/Software Overview, Site Specific IGRT Learning Modules, IGRT Quality Assurance Rounds & Additional Resources. Benefits/ChallengesEach centre will have an IGRT Education Template in place to ensure best practice and equal knowledge across the province. Radiation therapists can (re)develop IGRT skills by following the centre’s completed template. The challenge was to create the framework that could be adaptable to each cancer centres policies and procedures. The upcoming challenge is to maintain equal knowledge amongst the provinces’ cancer centres with the future advances in technology. Each centre will have an IGRT Education Template in place to ensure best practice and equal knowledge across the province. Radiation therapists can (re)develop IGRT skills by following the centre’s completed template. The challenge was to create the framework that could be adaptable to each cancer centres policies and procedures. The upcoming challenge is to maintain equal knowledge amongst the provinces’ cancer centres with the future advances in technology. Future Work/ImplicationsOntario is the first province in Canada to attempt to standardize a therapist driven process to create best practice across the province. The next step is to implement the IGRT Education Template and evaluate its effectiveness in the workplace. Ontario is the first province in Canada to attempt to standardize a therapist driven process to create best practice across the province. The next step is to implement the IGRT Education Template and evaluate its effectiveness in the workplace.