CSB025 Principles of Radiation Therapy Planning and Treatment

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

This unit is the first unit in Radiation Therapy planning and treatment of your course and builds on your foundation knowledge from CSB013 introduction to Radiation Therapy from semester 1.

This unit provides you with opportunities to build, practice and provide evidence of your problem-solving skills for radiation planning and treatment. Within a simulated environment, you will be able to practice planning and treatment techniques in a safe environment in order to prepare for clinical practice. Highlighting the importance of accurate working and the potential impact of errors builds on the radiation safety principles being learned concurrently in the radiation safety unit. The clinical placements will allow you to familiarise yourself with the practices of a radiation therapy department. This unit aims to provide you with a fundamental understanding of the principles of planning and treatment for radiation therapy.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Utilise computer planning software to perform 3DCRT radiation therapy planning techniques (MPRBA Domains 1C.3a, 1C.3b, 1C.3c, 1C.3d).
   Relates to: MRPPC2020: Domain 1C, 1C.3a, 1C.3b, 1C.3c, 1C.3d
2. Explain and apply basic principles of radiation oncology for a range of treatment sites (MRPBA Domains 1.1a, 1.3a, 1.3b, 1.5a, 1.5b, 1C.1a, 1C.1b)
   Relates to: MRPPC2020: Domain 1, 1.1a, 1.3a, 1.3b, 1.5a, 1.5b, Domain 1C, 1C.1a, 1C.1b
3. Explain and evaluate principles relating to CT/simulation of radiation therapy patients (MRPBA Domains 1.1a, 1.3a, 1.3b, 1.5a, 1.5b, 1C.1a, 1C.1b, 2.2d, 3.1a, 5.1c, 5.2a)
   Relates to: MRPPC2020: Domain 1, 1.1a, 1.3a, 1.3b, 1.5a, 1.5b, Domain 1C, 1C.1a, 1C.1b, Domain 2, 2.2d, Domain 3, 3.1a, Domain 5, 5.1c, 5.2a
4. Identify common side effects of radiation therapy treatment and explain the management of these in the care of the patient (MRPBA Domains 1.7a, 1.7d)
   Relates to: MRPPC2020: Domain 1, 1.7a, 1.7d
5. Demonstrate professional behaviours, interpersonal and communication skills as part of a clinical placement (MRPBA Domains 2.1a, 2.1b, 2.1d, 2.1f, 2.2c, 2.2d, 3.1a, 3.2a, 3.2b, 3.2c, 5.2a). Relates to NSQHS Standards 2 and 6
   Relates to: MRPPC2020: Domain 2, 2.1a, 2.1b, 2.1d, 2.1f, 2.2c, 2.2d, Domain 3, 3.1a, 3.2a, 3.2b, 3.2c, Domain 5, 5.2a

Content

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 and VERT (Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training) practicals.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.
Knowledge and skills will be further applied during Work Integrated Learning experiences. 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. Knowledge and skills will be further applied during Work Integrated Learning experiences, with a short placement in a clinical department as part of this unit. You will be supervised by clinical staff in a clinical department on a full-time basis for this placement.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

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 foundation principles of planning and treatment, in a variety of formats, which are aligned with the learning outcomes of the unit and course.

Clinical staff will assess your ability over the period of placement. Formative feedback will be provided on a regular basis that will assist you in meeting the appropriate professional capabilities by the completion of your placement.

Submission must be accompanied by a record of rostered hours, clinical achievements list as well as the radiation badge.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Quiz/Test

Non-invigilated quiz related to CT, Planning & Treatment.

Assessment: Case Study

Case report based on the management of a relevant patient.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Examination (Written)

Written theory 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.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

QLD Radiation Use Licence

QLD Health Student Placement requirements including:

• Immunisations
• National Police Check
• Blue Card
• Current CPR Certificate

Blue Card

A blue card is required to complete this unit. A blue card confirms that you have passed a screening of your criminal history (the Working with Children Check) and have been approved to work with children and young people. For more information on the blue card and how to apply please visit the QUT website.

Costs

• Clinical uniform (requires purchase of QUT MRS shirt)
• Cost and organisation of all vaccinations is the responsibility of the student
• Cost and organisation of obtaining current CPR Certificate is the responsibility of the student
• Cost and organisation of obtaining National Police Check and blue card is the responsibility of the student
• All Work Integrated Learning placement costs, including travel and accommodation expenses, are the responsibility of the student.

Resources

Resource Materials

Recommended text(s)

Dobbs, J., Barrett, A. Morris, S., Roques, T. (2009). Practical Radiotherapy Planning (4th ed.). Hodder Arnold.

Gunderson & Tepper’s Clinical Radiation Oncology. (2021). Elsevier.

Khan, F. M., Gibbons, J. P., Jr, & Sperduto, P. W. (2016). Khan's treatment planning in radiation oncology (Fourth ed.). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer.

Khan, F., Gibbons, J.P. (2014). The Physics of Radiation Therapy (5th ed.) Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins.

Risk Assessment Statement

Placement in a radiation therapy department has inherent radiation risks, which are minimised by following safe work practices. Students must adhere to the Radiation Safety and Protection Plan of the site they are rostered to, and wear the radiation badge provided by QUT for the clinical placement. Infection control techniques and precautions should be observed to avoid exposure to harmful agents.

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

MRPBA Professional Capabilities 2020

Domain 1: Medical radiation practitioner

1. 
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO3
2. 
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO3
3. 
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO3
4. 
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO3
5. 
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO3
6. 
   Relates to: ULO4
7. 
   Relates to: ULO4

Domain 1C: Radiation therapist

1. 
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO3
2. 
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO3
3. 
   Relates to: ULO1
4. 
   Relates to: ULO1
5. 
   Relates to: ULO1
6. 
   Relates to: ULO1

Domain 2: Professional and ethical practitioner

1. 
   Relates to: ULO5
2. 
   Relates to: ULO5
3. 
   Relates to: ULO5
4. 
   Relates to: ULO5
5. 
   Relates to: ULO5
6. 
   Relates to: ULO3, ULO5

Domain 3: Communicator and collaborator

1. 
   Relates to: ULO3, ULO5
2. 
   Relates to: ULO5
3. 
   Relates to: ULO5
4. 
   Relates to: ULO5

Domain 5: Radiation safety and risk manager

1. 
   Relates to: ULO3
2. 
   Relates to: ULO3, ULO5

Course Learning Outcomes

CS49 Bachelor of Radiation Therapy

1. Principles and applications of radiation therapy
   Relates to: Quiz/Test, Case Study, Examination (Written)
2. Treatment Planning
   Relates to: Quiz/Test, Case Study, Examination (Written)
3. Treatment Delivery
   Relates to: Quiz/Test, Case Study, Examination (Written)
4. Patient assessment and clinical management
   Relates to: Examination (Written)
5. Pre-treatment preparation and stabilisation
   Relates to: Examination (Written)

CS50 Bachelor of Radiation Therapy (Honours)

1. Principles and application of radiation therapy
   Relates to: Quiz/Test, Case Study, Examination (Written)
2. Treatment Planning
   Relates to: Quiz/Test, Case Study, Examination (Written)
3. Treatment Delivery
   Relates to: Quiz/Test, Case Study, Examination (Written)
4. Patient assessment and clinical management
   Relates to: Examination (Written)
5. Pre-treatment preparation and stabilisation
   Relates to: Examination (Written)