Online Learning Module for Evidence-based Radiation Treatment of Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Abstract

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are rare malignancies that require multimodality management. The rarity of this disease coupled with the diversity in presentation poses unique challenges for standardization of STS management and establishment of best practice guidelines.Radiation therapy is becoming increasingly complex for this patient population. Clinical research has demonstrated that patients benefit from advances in technology related to image-guided intensity modulated radiation therapy (IG-IMRT), which leads to better tumour control with fewer toxicities [1.O'Sullivan B, Griffin AM, Dickie CI, et al. Phase 2 study of preoperative image-guided intensity-modulated radiation therapy to reduce wound and combined modality morbidities in lower extremity soft tissue sarcoma. Cancer 2013;119(10): 1878-84.Google Scholar]. Daily IGRT has also highlighted the tendency for STS to change in shape/size over the course of treatment, necessitating the need for adaptive radiotherapy [2.Dickie C, Parent A, Grant K, et al. Dosimetric Consequences of Tumour Volume Changes During Preoperative IMRT for Lower Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcoma. ASTRO Annual Conference. Atlanta, Georgia: International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics, 2013:S63–S64.Google Scholar].The first iteration of an eLearning module has been developed to communicate best practice treatment guidelines for STS radiation therapy (RT) including CT simulation, RT planning, RT treatment and online IGRT imaging.The final module is intended to be an interactive high fidelity eLearning design to increase accessibility and reach of the content. It will allow learners to be self-directed in their attainment of the necessary knowledge and skills to deliver optimal RT for STS patients.This workshop is intended to expose learners to a prototype version of the final eLearning module that will cover the clear evidence-based criteria for RT treatment processes, image guided tolerances, action levels, and interprofessional communication (IPC) guidelines relating to IGRT for STS. Group discussion generated in this forum will benefit those treating any type of tumour presenting in the extremities or large abdominal/retroperitoneal disease. This current design iteration of the module is not self-directed, but instead requires workshop facilitators to disseminate knowledge translation. Workshop participants will be assessed for their knowledge acquisition and asked for feedback that will contribute to the final module design. Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are rare malignancies that require multimodality management. The rarity of this disease coupled with the diversity in presentation poses unique challenges for standardization of STS management and establishment of best practice guidelines. Radiation therapy is becoming increasingly complex for this patient population. Clinical research has demonstrated that patients benefit from advances in technology related to image-guided intensity modulated radiation therapy (IG-IMRT), which leads to better tumour control with fewer toxicities [1.O'Sullivan B, Griffin AM, Dickie CI, et al. Phase 2 study of preoperative image-guided intensity-modulated radiation therapy to reduce wound and combined modality morbidities in lower extremity soft tissue sarcoma. Cancer 2013;119(10): 1878-84.Google Scholar]. Daily IGRT has also highlighted the tendency for STS to change in shape/size over the course of treatment, necessitating the need for adaptive radiotherapy [2.Dickie C, Parent A, Grant K, et al. Dosimetric Consequences of Tumour Volume Changes During Preoperative IMRT for Lower Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcoma. ASTRO Annual Conference. Atlanta, Georgia: International Journal of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics, 2013:S63–S64.Google Scholar]. The first iteration of an eLearning module has been developed to communicate best practice treatment guidelines for STS radiation therapy (RT) including CT simulation, RT planning, RT treatment and online IGRT imaging. The final module is intended to be an interactive high fidelity eLearning design to increase accessibility and reach of the content. It will allow learners to be self-directed in their attainment of the necessary knowledge and skills to deliver optimal RT for STS patients. This workshop is intended to expose learners to a prototype version of the final eLearning module that will cover the clear evidence-based criteria for RT treatment processes, image guided tolerances, action levels, and interprofessional communication (IPC) guidelines relating to IGRT for STS. Group discussion generated in this forum will benefit those treating any type of tumour presenting in the extremities or large abdominal/retroperitoneal disease. This current design iteration of the module is not self-directed, but instead requires workshop facilitators to disseminate knowledge translation. Workshop participants will be assessed for their knowledge acquisition and asked for feedback that will contribute to the final module design.