RTS4105 - Radiation therapy principles and practice 2 - 2019

This unit is the second of two units dealing specifically with the principles and applications of radiation

therapy planning and treatment.

The unit further builds on the fundamental concepts related to radiation therapy planning and dosimetry

that students acquired in RTS4104.

A systems-based approach will be used to deliver anatomy, physiology, pathology and oncology of the:

integumentary system, lower respiratory, lower digestive, urinary and renal systems. For each of the

cancers studied, radiation therapy management and patient care will be introduced together with alternate

management strategies.

This unit will allow students to contextualise professional issues introduced in year 1 and 2 of the program

such as; communication, ethics, patient care, cultural awareness and occupational health and safety as

they relate to radiation therapy.

This unit will include 3 weeks of simulated learning, where students can apply their knowledge to clinical cases using the cloud based planning computer software (Eclipse) and the virtual environment for RT training (VERT) resources.

Whilst studying these topics, students will be encouraged to critically reflect, analyse and synthesis

relevant information from the literature and reflect on their clinical experiences to further develop and build

their critical analysis skills.

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

1. Identify and describe in detail; structural and sectional anatomy, physiology, pathology and oncology related to the integumentary system, lower respiratory, lower digestive, urinary and renal systems
2. Critically analyse radiation therapy planning and pre-treatment imaging techniques with reference to international standards and the evidence-base for the integumentary system, lower respiratory, lower digestive, urinary and renal systems
3. Critically analyse radiation therapy treatment and verification techniques with reference to international standards and the evidence-base for the integumentary system, lower respiratory, lower digestive, urinary and renal systems.
4. Describe with reference to the evidence-base, acute and late radiation therapy side effects, analysing patient care and management strategies related to the above body systems
5. Analyse, apply and reflect on theories of human communication, empathy, occupational health and radiation safety of the working environment, within a professional standards and ethical/legal context
6. Implement radiation therapy planning or treatment and patient management protocols across a range of patients and evaluate their efficacy at the level of a 'beginner/novice practitioner';

No clinical placement attendance requirements

NOTE: From 1 July 2019, the duration of all exams is changing to combine reading and writing time. The new exam duration for this unit is 2 hours and 10 minutes.

iSAP clinical action plan and reflective analysis (3,000 words) (40%)

Simulated Learning portfolio (1000 words) (20%)

End of semester exam (2 hours) (40%)

Hurdle

• 80% attendance at tutorials and workshop sessions
• Students must pass each element of assessment to pass the unit.
• 100% attendance at clinical workshops
• 100% completion of Simulated Learning activities

1 hour lecture, and a 2 hour tutorial per week, 9 hours of self-directed interaction with Moodle based tasks, readings and activities per week and online support sessions.

Two weeks of clinical placement in a radiation oncology department.

See also Unit timetable information

Radiation therapy