STRÅLPRA Clinical Practice in Radiotherapy Course description

The master’s thesis written by one or two students. Large, interdisciplinary innovation projects can be written in groups of up to four students on application. Individual oral examination where the grade can be adjusted.

The content and scope of different forms of master's theses:

• Monograph: The scope of a monograph thesis is up to 25,000 words.

• Scientific article: The thesis must include a manuscript in the form of at least one article that is in accordance with the author guidelines for a relevant scientific journal, and a supplementary memo/introductory chapter to the article-based thesis ('kappe') that elaborates on the theoretical and methodological considerations underlying the article. The layout, structure and scope of the article must comply with the guidelines of the journal in question, and the introductory chapter to the article-based thesis can be a maximum of 10,000 words.

The thesis can be written in English or a Scandinavian language (Norwegian, Swedish or Danish).

The written thesis must be awarded a grade of A-E (preliminary grade) in order for a student to take the oral examination. The final grade is set after the oral examination. The whole grade scale can be used when setting the final grade.

An individual oral examination lasting up to 40 minutes based on the master’s thesis. The candidate gives a 10 - 15 minutes presentation of their master’s thesis at the start of the oral examination.

Students can appeal against the grade set for the written part of the examination in accordance with the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges.

STRÅL6020 and the clinical training period STRÅLPRA-101 must be approved before the student can start the clinical training period STRÅLPRA-102.

After completing the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student:

• can describe and assess the department’s procedures for information about radiotherapy and preventive/follow-up measures with regard to side effects
• can give an account of how radiotherapy machines and other radiotherapy equipment can be used in different treatment plans
• can give an account of principles concerning treatment planning and consider problems relating to high-risk organs
• can explain radiation protection and image quality
• can describe the department’s guidelines, quality assurance systems, procedures and documentation procedures
• can assess treatment precision and accuracy, verification methods and surface image-guided radiotherapy

Skills

The student:

• can use theoretical knowledge of oncology, cancer care and communication to provide good information, teaching and guidance adapted to the needs of patients and next of kin
• can identify care needs, map side effects and implement relevant measures to prevent, alleviate and/or treat these symptoms
• can show care and respect for patients and next of kin
• can maintain good hygiene and handle waste and waste products in accordance with regulations
• has basic skills in simulations, field arrangements and the basis for dose calculations
• can independently plan and facilitate radiotherapy in different treatment plans in accordance with applicable guidelines
• independently masters patient positioning and field setting in relation to fixation equipment and coordinate systems
• can assess methods and analyse results from verification and image-guided radiotherapy
• can document treatment provided, non-conformity registration and corrective measures
• can operate equipment and machines in a responsible and safe manner and perform emergency procedures

General competence

The student

• can assess how patients experience cancer and its treatment
• can assess and reflect on his/her own role and reactions in dealings with patients and next of kin
• can demonstrate professional and ethical awareness of his/her own conduct in relation to cancer patients and their next of kin, expressed through respect, understanding, cooperation and professionalism
• can integrate professional knowledge in his/her professional practice in accordance with evidence-based practice and critically reflect on his/her own and others’ professional practice
• has self-insight and is willing to further develop his/her own personal and professional expertise
• can contribute to work in teams and has an open attitude to interdisciplinary cooperation
• can make use of available learning situations and sources of information
• can demonstrate independence, accuracy and reliability in his/her professional practice

All examinations are assessed by an internal and an external examiner. The student's supervisor cannot be an examiner for the master's thesis.

The following required coursework must be approved before the student receives a final assessment in the course:

• an oral presentation in groups relating to a patient care project
• an individual, written project assignment on patient care, of approx. 2,000 words
• an oral presentation in groups relating to a project on single dose planning
• an individual written presentation relating to quality assurance in radiotherapy

Assessment of clinical training. Credits are awarded on completion of both training periods (STRÅLPRA-101 and STRÅLPRA-102). To pass the clinical training, the student must have met the compulsory attendance requirement (90 per cent attendance).

Pass/fail

Students are assessed by the clinical training supervisor and the course lecturer at OsloMet.