STRÅLPRA Clinical Practice in Radiotherapy Course description

The course STRÅLPRA consists of two periods of clinical training: STRÅLPRA-101 and STRÅLPRA-102. The first clinical training period (STRÅLPRA-101) takes place over five weeks in the first semester, of which four weeks are set aside for work in the treatment service and one week is allocated for project work. The second clinical training period (STRÅLPRA-102) takes place over five weeks in the second semester, of which four weeks are set aside for work in the treatment service/planning unit and one week is allocated for project work.

The students are required to demonstrate an increasing degree of reflection, critical assessment and independence during the two periods.

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

Skills

The student

• can show care and respect for patients and next of kin
• 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 maintain good hygiene and handle waste and waste products in accordance with regulations
• can argue for and evaluate the choice of patient position and immobilisation
• can operate equipment and machines in a responsible and safe manner and perform emergency procedures
• independently masters patient positioning and field set-up in relation to fixation equipment and coordinate systems
• has basic skills in CT/MR simulation, choice of field arrangements and treatment techniques
• can independently plan and facilitate radiotherapy in different treatment plans in accordance with applicable guidelines
• can assess methods and analyse results from image/surface guided radiotherapy (IGRT/SGRT) and verification
• can document treatment provided, non-conformity registration and corrective measures

General competence

The student

• can assess how patients experience cancer and its treatment
• can 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 shows 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
• can assess the professional function, responsibility and role of radiation therapists, and adjust his/her own professional practice under supervision

The work and teaching methods consist of two periods of clinical training, a written project assignment and two project periods with presentations.

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

• presentation in groups of 4-6 students, relating to a project on patient care - STRÅLPRA-101
• an individual, written project assignment on patient care, of approx. 2,000 words - STRÅLPRA-101
• presentation in groups of 4-6 students, relating to a project on single dose planning - STRÅLPRA-101
• individual presentation relating to a project on quality assurance in radiotherapy - STRÅLPRA-102

Required coursework must be approved before the final assessment in STRÅLPRA-102. Students have up to three attempts to have the assignment approved. If the assignment is not approved after three attempts, the student will not receive a final assessment and must take the course the next time it is taught. 

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.