Good Work Practices Research Articles

Young people empathising with other animals: reflections on an Australian RSPCA Humane Education Program

INTRODUCTION: Empathy is associated with engagement, compassion, social support and emotional sensitivity, and it is a hallmark of good social work practice. Empathy rightfully receives much attention in social work practice, however, interspecies empathy has yet to be included. This article has been written to address this gap.METHODS: Two main research questions guide our conceptual discussion of young people, interspecies empathy and social work: (1) Why is empathy important to social work with young people? (2) What can an Australian RSPCA Humane Education Programme (HEP) teach social workers about the benefits of interspecies empathy for young people? After our literature review, we examine our illustrative example, which is an HEP offered mostly to newly arrived refugee and migrant young people living in the outer suburbs of Melbourne, whose prior experiences of and/or attitudes towards animals may not have been positive. FINDINGS: Social workers are wise to prioritise empathy because extensive research has shown that, across a diverse range of fields, modes of practice in and beyond social work, empathic practitioners are more effective, achieving better outcomes with their clients. From the letters the young people sent to the RSPCA Victoria after completing an HEP, we note their self-reported increases in empathy for animals, including those they had previously feared or shunned.CONCLUSION: There are many potential benefits of recognising, fostering and valuing interspecies empathy through humane education programmes. However, for these to be ethical, care and empathy must be shown towards the wellbeing of the animals involved, not just the human participants.

Assessing Dispositions Toward Ridicule and Laughter in the Workplace: Adapting and Validating the PhoPhiKat-9 Questionnaire.

The current paper addresses the measurement of three dispositions toward ridicule and laughter; i.e., gelotophobia (the fear of being laughed at), gelotophilia (the joy of being laughed at), and katagelasticism (the joy of laughing at others). These traits explain inter-individual differences in responses to humor, laughter, and social situations related to humorous encounters. First, an ultra-short form of the PhoPhiKat-45 (Ruch and Proyer, 2009) was adapted in two independent samples (Construction Sample N = 157; Replication Sample N = 1,774). Second, we tested the validity of the PhoPhiKat-9 in two further independent samples. Results showed that the psychometric properties of the ultra-short form were acceptable and the proposed factor structure could be replicated. In Validation Sample 1 (N = 246), we investigated the relation of the three traits to responses in a ridicule and teasing scenario questionnaire. The results replicated findings from earlier studies by showing that gelotophobes assigned the same emotions to friendly teasing and malicious ridicule (predominantly low joy, high fear, and shame). Gelotophilia was mainly predicted by relating joy to both, teasing and ridicule scenarios, while katagelasticism was predicted by assigning joy and contempt to ridicule scenarios. In Validation Sample 2 (N = 1,248), we investigated whether the fear of being laughed at is a vulnerability at the workplace: If friendly teasing and laughter of co-workers, superiors, or customers are misperceived as being malicious, individuals may feel less satisfied and more stressed. The results from a representative sample of Swiss employees showed that individuals with a fear of being laughed at are generally less satisfied with life and work and experience more work stress. Moreover, gelotophilia went along with positive evaluations of one's life and work, while katagelasticism was negatively related to work satisfaction and positively related to work stress. In order to establish good work practices and build procedures against workplace bullying, one needs to consider that individual differences impact on a person's perception of being bullied and assessing the three dispositions may give important insights into team processes.

Effect of single dead end entry inclination on DPM plume dispersion

Diesel particulate matter (DPM) is a by-product from operating diesel engines. Since diesel powers are one of the major sources of energy for mobile underground mining equipment, the adverse health effects of DPM are of a great concern. This paper used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method to study the effect of entry inclination on DPM plume distribution in a dead end entry. An upward mining face and a downward mining face were built with a truck and a loader in loading operation close to the face area. A species transport model with incorporated buoyancy effect was used to examine the DPM dispersion pattern for the above steady-state scenarios. High DPM and temperature regions were identified for the two different faces. The model was used to assess the role of auxiliary ventilation in reducing DPM exposures of underground miners working in those entries. In this study, it is suggested to provide local ventilation at least three times of the diesel exhaust rate to be able to lower the average DPM level for the mining upward face. The requirement for local ventilation is much less for the mining downward face. This can provide guidelines for good working practices and selection of diesel emission reduction technologies underground.

DSIR’s Industrial Psychology Division 1942–1954

ABSTRACTDSIR’s Industrial Psychology Division was founded in 1942 by Ernest Marsden, and its mission was to research the working conditions in factories of wartime New Zealand. The education of management and workers on good working practices was also an important part of its work, as was the undertaking of special service investigations, as required. The first director was Leslie Hearnshaw (my father), at the time a psychologist at Victoria University College, and he hired Ralph Winterbourn, Arthur Churton and later Ralph Waite to the division’s staff. Visits were made to factories all over New Zealand. Some of the issues that arose were the high level of absenteeism in New Zealand factories, the employment of women in many munitions factories, keeping workers motivated for tedious and repetitive work, excessive hours of work (in one case up to 74 hours per week) and poor lighting in factories causing eye strain.

Relocation, portability and social care practice: A scoping review

Summary The portability of publicly-funded adult social care across local authority boundaries received recent policy attention in England and was addressed in the Care Act 2014. This article presents the findings of a scoping review conducted between July–September 2012 that searched selected journals and online databases for relevant material. The aim of the review was to identify what is known about the experiences of adults entitled to publicly-funded social care who move between local authorities, and the support provided by social workers to those planning to relocate. The review focused specifically on disabled adults and carers, eligible for and in receipt of social care support, who relocate for work or education in England. Findings The review identified little direct research covering experiences of moving between local authorities. However, six specific barriers, challenges and facilitators to relocation were identified; these included the portability of social care support, variations in policy and practice between local authorities, and housing availability. The review concludes that the process of relocation may be complex, challenging, and uncertain, although individuals may experience benefits and positive outcomes. Applications The review outlines areas for good social work practice in supporting people using social care services to relocate. These include: ensuring the provision of information; close working between local authorities and social workers; the development of interim plans to address potential delays in setting up support; proactive and rapid monitoring and reassessment following a move to address potentially changed support needs arising from changed housing circumstances.

A Review of Mercury Exposure and Health of Dental Personnel.

Considerable effort has been made to address the issue of occupational health and environmental exposure to mercury. This review reports on the current literature of mercury exposure and health impacts on dental personnel. Citations were searched using four comprehensive electronic databases for articles published between 2002 and 2015. All original articles that evaluated an association between the use of dental amalgam and occupational mercury exposure in dental personnel were included. Fifteen publications from nine different countries met the selection criteria. The design and quality of the studies showed significant variation, particularly in the choice of biomarkers as an indicator of mercury exposure. In several countries, dental personnel had higher mercury levels in biological fluids and tissues than in control groups; some work practices increased mercury exposure but the exposure levels remained below recommended guidelines. Dental personnel reported more health conditions, often involving the central nervous system, than the control groups. Clinical symptoms reported by dental professionals may be associated with low-level, long-term exposure to occupational mercury, but may also be due to the effects of aging, occupational overuse, and stress. It is important that dental personnel, researchers, and educators continue to encourage and monitor good work practices by dental professionals.

TIRIAMOSIOS VEIKLOS REIKŠMĖ MOTYVUOJANT MOKINIUS, NAGRINĖJANT TEMĄ „SVEIKA MITYBA“: „JAUTRIOJO MUSĖKAUTO (LOT. DIONAEA MUSCIPULA) MAISTO RACIONO TYRIMAS“

In this report, I would like to share the example of good work practice - idea of research in teaching primary school students “Healthy lifestyle” subject. This subject is included in world cognition classes from first to fourth grade and includes several parts. One of them - “Healthy diet”. In order to interest my students in “Healthy diet” subject and teach the benefits of protein for growing organism, I suggested to conduct a research on insectivorous plant. My goal was to make pupils learn about the benefits of protein for growing organism by using practical method (with playful elements) which is appealing for the students. The purpose of the research was to investigate which products can be digested by Dionaea muscipula. While in the process of the research to water the plant with distilled or rain water, document the events. Raised hypothesis: the Dionaea muscipula will digest only food which contains mostly protein. The result of the research: cottage cheese was digested for 3 days, fresh chicken - 10d., cheese 5d., boiled egg white - 9d., fresh fish - 6d., fresh beef - 3d., boiled beef ball - 9d., greek nut was not digested, the same is for white bread. The conclusion of the research: chicken was the longest to digest (10 days), the shortest digestion time was for fresh beef and cottage cheese (3 days). No digestion occurred with white bread and greek nut. Raised hypothesis was confirmed: the delicate Dionaea muscipula digested human food, which contained the protein. At the end of the research, together with students, we created education film - “Dionaea muscipula feeding ration investigation”, which not only interested the students of other classes, but also summarized and solidified the subject of “Healthy diet”. Key words: insectivorous plant, learners` research, subject motivation, healthy diet.

Investigating the quality of social work. An experience of self-assessment with Italian social workers

Evaluating the quality of social work practice is becoming increasingly important for various reasons, among which are changes in the welfare system and the reduction of resources. Meanwhile, it is acknowledged that evaluating the quality of social work is a highly complex task. Different meanings are attributed to the concept of quality and the concept of quality in itself is linked to the notion of social work identity, nature and aims, which is an object in transition. Although performance appraisal systems are spreading, a common understanding about what is ‘good social work practice’ is lacking, also within the professional community. In Italy, social workers seem missing in the arena of investigating and indicating which criteria can be used to evaluate social work practice. To counteract this weakness, a participative research-intervention project was developed from 2006 to 2011, aimed at supporting social workers in evaluating their work. During workshops with practitioners a self-evaluation tool was designed by means of asking social workers for the possible criteria to be used to define ‘good social work practice’. This paper presents the structure and methods adopted throughout such project, focusing on both the self-assessment questionnaire and the emerging notions of quality of social work.

Good work practices, new family practices?

Good work practices, new family practices?

Effects of work practices and upper body movements on the performance of a laboratory fume hood

A hood user's work practices and upper body movements can adversely affect the performance of a laboratory fume hood. To quantify the possible effects, hood performance was measured while simulating typical user activities scenarios. The tested variables were two sash opening heights, two hood clutter settings, two thermal loads, and three hand–arm–trunk motions, totaling 24 (2 × 2 × 2 × 3) different test conditions. Hood face velocity was maintained at 0.5 m/s for all tests, using a fan speed controller. For each test condition, the hood's performance was evaluated using the ASHRAE 110-1995 tracer gas test method. Duplicate measurements were made for each condition, so that a total of 48 tests were conducted, in random order. Three-way ANOVA was performed to find significant effects of work practices and upper body movements on breathing concentrations. The degree of sash opening was the most significant factor affecting hood performance, followed by hand–arm–trunk motions and thermal load. The effect of hood clutter was not statistically significant, but the interaction effect with other factors was. The highest breathing concentration value occurred during the test with the sash fully open, arms-down posture, thermal load present, and hood clutter present. These conditions created complex airflow patterns inside the hood that resulted in leakage into the breathing zone. Although the test conditions were limited, the results of this study suggest that good work practices in combination with good hood design and adequate face velocity can significantly reduce worker exposure. Reducing sash height while working in front of a laboratory fume hood is vital to reducing potential exposure to the air contaminant generated inside the hood.

Chapter 11: Getting a GRIP on pharmacy services

This chapter encourages the use of evidence across the whole of hospital pharmacy practice. It introduces the concept of knowledge brokering and argues that all activities including pharmacy management should...

Variable implementation of good practice recommendations for the assessment and management of UK children with neurodisability.

The aims of this study were to determine whether UK child development teams (CDTs) have implemented good practice recommendations for the co-ordinated assessment and support of children with neurodisability and to explore some of the factors associated with variations in good practice implementation. Surveys were sent to every UK CDT in 2009/2010. Responses about CDT provision and ways of working were compared with good practice recommendations from national policy documents and professional organizations. The extent to which CDTs in England and Wales met 11 selected good practice recommendations was scored; teams in Scotland and Northern Ireland were given a score out of 9 to reflect the optional use of the common assessment framework and early support materials in these countries. Responses were received from 225/240 (94%) UK CDTs. Thirty-seven per cent of CDTs in England and Wales had implemented nine or more of the 11 recommendations. Fifty-nine per cent of teams in Scotland and 78% of teams in Northern Ireland met between six and nine recommendations of good working practice. Higher levels of implementation of recommendations were found when the CDT had a Child Development Centre base and for teams who had received increased funding in the 5 years preceding the survey. There was considerable variability in the degree to which CDTs implemented good practice recommendations for the diagnosis and management of children with neurodisability. Evidence about child and parent satisfaction, and the effectiveness of CDT practices and provision, is required, so policymakers, healthcare commissioners and clinicians can provide the most appropriate services to children with neurodisability and their families.

Precautionary Practices of Respiratory Therapists and Other Health-Care Practitioners Who Administer Aerosolized Medications.

Respiratory therapists (RTs) and other health-care workers are potentially exposed to a variety of aerosolized medications. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Health and Safety Practices Survey of Healthcare Workers describes current exposure control practices and barriers to using personal protective equipment during administration of selected aerosolized medications. An anonymous, multi-module, web-based survey was conducted among members of health-care professional practice organizations representing RTs, nurses, and other health-care practitioners. A module on aerosolized medications included submodules for antibiotics (amikacin, colistin, and tobramycin), pentamidine, and ribavirin. The submodules on antibiotics, pentamidine, and ribavirin were completed by 321, 227, and 50 respondents, respectively, most of whom were RTs. The relatively low number of ribavirin respondents precluded meaningful interpretation of these data and may reflect the rare use of this drug. Consequently, analysis focused on pentamidine, classified by NIOSH as a hazardous drug, and the antibiotics amikacin, colistin, and tobramycin, which currently lack authoritative safe handling guidelines. Respondents who administered pentamidine were more likely to adhere to good work practices compared with those who administered the antibiotics. Examples included training received on safe handling procedures (75% vs 52%), availability of employer standard procedures (82% vs 55%), use of aerosol delivery devices equipped with an expiratory filter (96% vs 53%) or negative-pressure rooms (61% vs 20%), and always using respiratory protection (51% vs 13%). Despite the availability of safe handling guidelines for pentamidine, implementation was not universal, placing workers, co-workers, and even family members at risk of exposure. Although the antibiotics included in this study lack authoritative safe handling guidelines, prudence dictates that appropriate exposure controls be used to minimize exposure to the antibiotics and other aerosolized medications. Employers and employees share responsibility for ensuring that precautionary measures are taken to keep exposures to all aerosolized medications as low as practicable.

TH‐A‐213‐02: IAEA/AAPM Code of Practice for the Dosimetry of Static Small Photon Fields

Modern radiotherapy techniques such as SRS/SRT, SBRT, IMRT, VMAT as well as specialized machines such as Tomotherapy, CyberKnife and Gamma Knife use small photon fields with at least one dimension <3 cm. Dosimetry in such small fields is challenging because of large detector perturbations due to non‐equilibrium conditions, occlusion of the primary photon source and large dose gradients across the field. Many small‐size dosimeters have been proposed for use in small fields. However, their characteristics especially the volume averaging and fluence perturbations have only recently been adequately understood. An IAEA‐AAPM working group has provided a framework for reference dosimetry in non‐compliant beams and the measurement of field output factors small fields (1). The AAPM TG‐155 (2) has adopted this framework to provide guidelines on relative dosimetry. This course explains the code of practice for absolute dosimetry that is under review and discusses the availability of correction factors to convert detector readings to doses. TG‐155 defines small field conditions, provides recommendations for suitable detectors and recommendations for good working practice for relative dosimetry (PDD, TMR, output factor, etc.) and dose calculations based on the new formulation. It also discusses beam modeling and dose calculations as a critical step in clinical utilization of small field radiotherapy. Alfonso et al, Med Phys 35, 5179–5186 (2008). Das et al, Med Phys (under review, 2014) Learning Objectives: Concepts and recommended procedures in the IAEA‐AAPM code of practice for dosimetry of small fields. Physics of dosimetry in non‐equilibrium conditions and definition of small fields Recommended procedures for relative dosimetry in TG‐1554. Choice of detectors for small field dosimetry, perturbations and corrections for dosimetry Understand the detector properties required for small field measurements Understand the advantages and limitations of commercially available detectors for small field dosimetry Research supported with operating grants from CIHR, NSERC, and BIOWin, a program funded at the Universite Catholique Louvain by the Walloon Government (Belgium). Student stipends supported by Medical Physics Research Training Network funded by the Collaborative Research and Training Experience program of the NSERC.Seuntjens: support by Sun Nuclear Corporation

TH‐A‐213‐00: Small Field Dosimetry: Overview of AAPM TG‐155 and the IAEAAAPM Code of Practice

Modern radiotherapy techniques such as SRS/SRT, SBRT, IMRT, VMAT as well as specialized machines such as Tomotherapy, CyberKnife and Gamma Knife use small photon fields with at least one dimension <3 cm. Dosimetry in such small fields is challenging because of large detector perturbations due to non‐equilibrium conditions, occlusion of the primary photon source and large dose gradients across the field. Many small‐size dosimeters have been proposed for use in small fields. However, their characteristics especially the volume averaging and fluence perturbations have only recently been adequately understood. An IAEA‐AAPM working group has provided a framework for reference dosimetry in non‐compliant beams and the measurement of field output factors small fields (1). The AAPM TG‐155 (2) has adopted this framework to provide guidelines on relative dosimetry. This course explains the code of practice for absolute dosimetry that is under review and discusses the availability of correction factors to convert detector readings to doses. TG‐155 defines small field conditions, provides recommendations for suitable detectors and recommendations for good working practice for relative dosimetry (PDD, TMR, output factor, etc.) and dose calculations based on the new formulation. It also discusses beam modeling and dose calculations as a critical step in clinical utilization of small field radiotherapy. Alfonso et al, Med Phys 35, 5179–5186 (2008). Das et al, Med Phys (under review, 2014) Learning Objectives: Concepts and recommended procedures in the IAEA‐AAPM code of practice for dosimetry of small fields. Physics of dosimetry in non‐equilibrium conditions and definition of small fields Recommended procedures for relative dosimetry in TG‐1554. Choice of detectors for small field dosimetry, perturbations and corrections for dosimetry Understand the detector properties required for small field measurements Understand the advantages and limitations of commercially available detectors for small field dosimetry Research supported with operating grants from CIHR, NSERC, and BIOWin, a program funded at the Universite Catholique Louvain by the Walloon Government (Belgium). Student stipends supported by Medical Physics Research Training Network funded by the Collaborative Research and Training Experience program of the NSERC.Seuntjens: support by Sun Nuclear Corporation

TH‐A‐213‐01: Small Field Dosimetry: Overview of AAPM TG‐155

Modern radiotherapy techniques such as SRS/SRT, SBRT, IMRT, VMAT as well as specialized machines such as Tomotherapy, CyberKnife and Gamma Knife use small photon fields with at least one dimension <3 cm. Dosimetry in such small fields is challenging because of large detector perturbations due to non‐equilibrium conditions, occlusion of the primary photon source and large dose gradients across the field. Many small‐size dosimeters have been proposed for use in small fields. However, their characteristics especially the volume averaging and fluence perturbations have only recently been adequately understood. An IAEA‐AAPM working group has provided a framework for reference dosimetry in non‐compliant beams and the measurement of field output factors small fields (1). The AAPM TG‐155 (2) has adopted this framework to provide guidelines on relative dosimetry. This course explains the code of practice for absolute dosimetry that is under review and discusses the availability of correction factors to convert detector readings to doses. TG‐155 defines small field conditions, provides recommendations for suitable detectors and recommendations for good working practice for relative dosimetry (PDD, TMR, output factor, etc.) and dose calculations based on the new formulation. It also discusses beam modeling and dose calculations as a critical step in clinical utilization of small field radiotherapy. Alfonso et al, Med Phys 35, 5179–5186 (2008). Das et al, Med Phys (under review, 2014) Learning Objectives: Concepts and recommended procedures in the IAEA‐AAPM code of practice for dosimetry of small fields. Physics of dosimetry in non‐equilibrium conditions and definition of small fields Recommended procedures for relative dosimetry in TG‐1554. Choice of detectors for small field dosimetry, perturbations and corrections for dosimetry Understand the detector properties required for small field measurements Understand the advantages and limitations of commercially available detectors for small field dosimetry Research supported with operating grants from CIHR, NSERC, and BIOWin, a program funded at the Universite Catholique Louvain by the Walloon Government (Belgium). Student stipends supported by Medical Physics Research Training Network funded by the Collaborative Research and Training Experience program of the NSERC.Seuntjens: support by Sun Nuclear Corporation

Exposure to Crystalline Silica at Alberta Work Sites: Review of Controls

From 2009 to 2013, Alberta Jobs, Skills, Training, and Labour (JSTL) conducted a project to evaluate exposure to crystalline silica and assess controls to protect workers. Information on exposure results has been previously reported; this article discusses the data collected on workplace controls.Information on work site controls was collected during exposure assessments consisting of qualitative information on controls in place and used by workers at the time of the assessments. Where there was sufficient data, the information was further analyzed to evaluate the impact of a particular control.While many types of controls were observed, they were not always effective or in use. The control available most often was respiratory protective equipment (RPE). Generally, when respirators were used, they were correctly selected for the level of measured exposure. However, not all workers who were potentially overexposed wore respirators at the time of the assessments. When the use of respirators was taken into account, about one-third of workers were still potentially exposed over the Alberta occupational exposure limit. The industries with the highest levels of exposure tended to be those with the most unprotected workers. Issues were identified with the use of improper work practices such as dry cleaning methods, lack of documented work procedures, poor housekeeping, and lack of training which may have contributed to worker exposure levels.There is a wide range in the efficacy of controls, particularly engineering controls. Most of the literature focuses on engineering controls; however administrative controls also play a role in reducing worker exposure. Data collected in this work indicated that simple changes to work procedures and behavior (such as improved housekeeping) may be effective, low-cost ways to reduce workplace exposure. More study is required to evaluate the impact and efficacy of administrative controls such as housekeeping and training. Employers must select and evaluate controls in the context of overall workplace health and safety programs and ensure that they are supported by supervision, good work practices. and training.

Overcoming obstacles in the implementation of factorial design for assay optimization.

Factorial experimental design (FED) is a powerful approach for efficient optimization of robust in vitro assays-it enables cost and time savings while also improving the quality of assays. Although it is a well-known technique, there can be considerable barriers to overcome to fully exploit it within an industrial or academic organization. The article describes a tactical roll out of FED to a scientist group through: training which demystifies the technical components and concentrates on principles and examples; a user-friendly Excel-based tool for deconvoluting plate data; output which focuses on graphical display of data over complex statistics. The use of FED historically has generally been in conjunction with automated technology; however we have demonstrated a much broader impact of FED on the assay development process. The standardized approaches we have rolled out have helped to integrate FED as a fundamental part of assay development best practice because it can be used independently of the automation and vendor-supplied software. The techniques are applicable to different types of assay, both enzyme and cell, and can be used flexibly in manual and automated processes. This article describes the application of FED for a cellular assay. The challenges of selling FED concepts and rolling out to a wide bioscience community together with recommendations for good working practices and effective implementation are discussed. The accessible nature of these approaches means FED can be used by industrial as well as academic users.

Simulation of DPM distribution in a long single entry with buoyancy effect

Diesel particulate matter (DPM) is considered carcinogenic after prolonged exposure. With more diesel-powered equipment used in underground mines, miners’ exposure to DPM has become an increasing concern. This paper used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method to study DPM distribution based on an experiment conducted by the Diesel Emissions Evaluation Program (DEEP) in Canada. Twenty-four cases were simulated where the emissions from both truck and load-haul-dumps (LHDs) were examined. Each vehicle was placed in two stream wise locations, and the vehicles were oriented either facing or with the rear end toward the main fresh airflow. A species transport model with buoyancy effect was then used to examine the DPM dispersion pattern. High DPM regions were identified downstream, around, and even upstream of diesel engines. This can provide guidelines for good working practices and selection of diesel emission reduction technologies underground.

MO‐D‐BRD‐02: In Memoriam of Bengt Bjarngard: SBRT II: Small Field Dosimetry – TG155

Specialized radiation treatment such as SRS/SRT. SBRT, IMRT, VMAT, Tomotherapy, CyberKnife and Gamma Knife use small fields or combination of small fields where dosimetry is challenging and uncertain due to non‐equilibrium conditions such as longitudinal and lateral disequilibrium. Additionally the primary photon fluence is greatly affected by the obstruction of the source size by the jaws creating a large dose gradient across the field. Electronic equilibrium is a phenomenon associated with the range of secondary particles which depend on the beam energy, photon spectrum and the composition of the medium. Additionally, the finite size of detectors creates volume averaging and fluence perturbations especially in small fields. The IAEA/AAPM has provided a frame work for non‐compliant reference dosimetry in small fields1. The AAPM TG‐1552 has adopted this frame work to provide guidelines in relative dosimetry. This course provides the insight of TG‐155 that defines small field, provides recommendations for suitable detectors and associated correction factors to convert reading to dose. Recommendations of a good working practice for relative dosimetry measurements (PDD, TMR, output factor, etc.) and dose calculations based on the new formulation is are elaborated. It also discusses beam modeling and dose calculations as a critical step in clinical utilization of small field radiotherapy. Small errors in beam data, approximations in dose algorithms, or misaligned of detectors and field settings can propagate into large errors in planned and delivered dose. The modeling and treatment planning aspects of small field dosimetry are reviewed with emphasis on the most critical parts for ensuring accurate and safe radiation therapy. Discussion on k(fmsr, fclin) for commercially available detectors are also provided.1 P. Alfonso, P. Andreo, R. Capote, M. S. Huq, W. Kilby, P. Kjall, T. R. Mackie, H. Palmans, K. Rosser, J. Seuntjens, W. Ullrich and S. Vatnitsky, “A new formalism for reference dosimetry of small and nonstandard fields,” Med Phys 35, 5179–5186 (2008).2 I. J. Das, P. Francescon, A. Ahnesjo, M. M. Aspradakis, C. W. Cheng, G. X. Ding, G. S. Ibbott, M. Oldham, M. S. Huq, C. S. Reft and S. O.A., “Task Group 155 report: Small fields and non‐equilibrium condition photon beam dosimetry,” Med Phys (under review).Learning Objectives: Physics of cavity theory for non‐equilibrium condition and definition of small fields Description of absolute and relative dosimetry in the context of TG‐155 Choice of detector in small field dosimetry, perturbations and corrections (K(fmsr, fclin)) for accurate dosimetry Understand the advantages and limitations of commercially available detectors for small field dosimetry