RTP4103 - Specialised techniques in radiation therapy - 2018

This unit is a foundation unit of the Master of Advanced Radiation Therapy practice. It will demonstrate how the principles of evidence based health care practice apply to the specialised radiation therapy techniques of Tomotherapy, Proton Therapy, Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT), and stereotactic radiosurgery/radiation therapy equipment such as Cyberknife and Gammaknife. Students will gain in-depth knowledge of the quality assurance and physical principles underpinning each of these specialized radiation therapy techniques. Analytical skills will also be developed in relation to the planning, treatment and verification processes for each technique. In addition, students will analyse novel dose and fractionation regimes with respect to radiobiological models.

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. Operationalize the principles of evidence based health care practice to the delivery of specialised radiation therapy techniques in the clinical context.
2. Describe in detail the physical principles and equipment required to deliver a range of specialised radiation therapy techniques.
3. Critically analyse the role that quality assurance and quality management systems play in the implementation and day-to-day use of specialised radiation therapy techniques.
4. Appraise the planning and dosimetry principles for a range of specialised radiation therapy techniques.
5. Evaluate and reflect on approaches to treatment delivery using a range of specialised radiation therapy techniques.
6. Analyse the approaches to treatment verification for a range of specialised radiation therapy techniques.

• Scientific essay (4,000 words) (50%)
• 2 x Reflective Moodle discussion submissions (500 words each) (20%)
• Individual structured oral presentation (20 minutes) (30%)

Off-campus: 12 hours per week for 12 weeks.

See also Unit timetable information

Radiation therapy