CSB090 Radiation Therapy Planning 1
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | CSB090 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | CSB025 and PCB675 and LQB389 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,118 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,104 |
| International unit fee | $4,488 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | CSB090 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | CSB025 and PCB675 and LQB389 |
| Coordinator: | Crispen Chamunyonga | crispen.chamunyonga@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Treatment planning is an essential component of radiation therapy and application of fundamental principles to routine planning practice is essential. This unit builds on the fundamental theories of treatment planning to concentrate on application of knowledge to practice. In order to further prepare for planning, a range of routine plans will be completed using 3D datasets. You will need to gain plan evaluation skills in order to become competent treatment planners and this unit provides you with the underpinning theory and introductory practice.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Utilise computer planning software to perform routine radiation therapy planning techniques (MPRBA Domains 1C.3a, 1C.3b, 1C.3c, 1C.3d).
- Explain the fundamental principles underpinning treatment planning systems (MRPBA Domain 1C.3a).
- Explain how radiobiology theories and normal tissue tolerances impact on radiation therapy planning (MRPBA Domain 1C.3a).
- Critically evaluate and analyse resultant plans produced with regard to a range of literature (MRPBA Domain 1C.3e).
Content
- Treatment planning system principles
- Structure outlining and segmentation
- Multiple field techniques
- Plan optimisation and evaluation strategies for photon and electron beams
- Radiobiology for radiation therapy
- Normal tissue tolerances and complications.
- Inhomogeneity corrections for photon beams
- Planning of specific sites to include thorax, abdomen and pelvis
- Multi-modality Image registration
- Introduction to IMRT and VMAT planning concepts
Relates to learning outcomes
These learning outcomes address elements of the domains for the professional capabilities for medical radiation practice for the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (MRPBA).
Each learning outcome is mapped to the relevant professional capability as demonstrated.
Learning Approaches
This unit adopts a blended delivery process which integrates face to face learning experiences with enriched software virtual environments in a simulation laboratory, for example, computer laboratory practicals utilising treatment planning software. The lectures will introduce you to key concepts relating to the principles and practice of planning and treatment.
Problem-based learning will challenge you to apply your knowledge to realistic clinical situations with sample patient scenarios for planning and treatment utilising the clinical simulated learning resources. Both content and organisation is designed for you to assess your progress in the unit and the course and for you to gather evidence of meeting unit and course outcomes.
This unit requires you to engage with the Canvas on-line learning environment, where additional information will be provided in the QUT Readings and formative exercises will be provided. For this unit, you will be provided with the essential information and opportunity to practice but you will need to supplement this with further reading and self-directed study. You will be required to reflect on your progress and performance in the unit at regular intervals.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Formative feedback is provided throughout the semester, where work is reviewed and assessed. Feedback will aim to provide students with suggestions for further development of academic skills as well as suggestions for further study where appropriate.
Assessment
Overview
Assessment tasks will require you to provide evidence of your knowledge, skills and application of treatment planning concepts of Radiation Therapy, in a variety of formats, which are aligned with the learning outcomes of the unit and course.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Problem Solving Task
You will be required to produce and lock a plan on an assigned treatment site.
Assessment: Critique (written)
You will provide a plan evaluation of the plan produced with reference to a range of literature.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Examination (written)
End of semester examination.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.
Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Khan, F. M., Gibbons, J. P., Jr, & Sperduto, P. W. (2016). Khan's treatment planning in radiation oncology (4th Ed.). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer
Khan, F., Gibbons, J.P. (2014). The Physics of Radiation Therapy (5th Ed.) Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins.
Xia, P., Godley, A., Shah, C., Videtic, G. M. M., & Suh, J. (Eds.). (2018). Strategies for radiation therapy treatment planning. ProQuest Ebook
Reference book(s)
A range of literature from journals including:
1. International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics
2. Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice
3. Medical Dosimetry
4. Radiotherapy and Oncology
5. Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences (JMRS)
Barrett, A., Dobbs, J., Morris, S., Roques, T. (2009). Practical Radiotherapy Planning (4th ed.) Hodder Arnold.
Hall, E. J., & Giaccia, A. J. (2012). Radiobiology for the radiologist (7th ed.). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (1993). Prescribing, Recording and Reporting Photon Beam Therapy (ICRU Report 50)
International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (1999). Prescribing, Recording and Reporting Photon Beam Therapy. Supplement to ICRU Report 50. (ICRU Report 62)
Risk Assessment Statement
The only out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with the unit relate to the practical exercises held in simulation laboratories. You will receive instructions on safety issues during these sessions.
Standards/Competencies
This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.
MRPBA Professional Capabilities 2020
Domain 1C: Radiation therapist
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.CS49 Bachelor of Radiation Therapy
- Principles and applications of radiation therapy
Relates to: Examination (written) - Treatment Planning
Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Critique (written), Examination (written) - Research Methods
Relates to: Critique (written) - Critical thinking (analyse, interpret, evaluate)
Relates to: Problem Solving Task - Problem solving as independent health practitioners
Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Examination (written) - Research skills and methods
Relates to: Critique (written)
CS50 Bachelor of Radiation Therapy (Honours)
- Principles and application of radiation therapy
Relates to: Examination (written) - Treatment Planning
Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Critique (written), Examination (written) - Research principles, planning and methods
Relates to: Critique (written) - Critical thinking (analyse, interpret, evaluate, synthesise)
Relates to: Problem Solving Task - Problem solving as independent health practitioners
Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Examination (written) - Research appraisal and critique skills
Relates to: Critique (written)