Training for tomorrow: Establishing a worldwide curriculum in online adaptive radiation therapy
This commentary discusses the implementation of online adaptive radiation therapy (oART) in cancer treatment within the context of current challenges faced by radiation therapy professionals. oART enables modifications to treatment plans based on daily imaging, enhancing target accuracy while minimi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Technical Innovations & Patient Support in Radiation Oncology |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405632425000058 |
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| _version_ | 1823856780226068480 |
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| author | Meegan Shepherd Elizabeth Joyce Bethany Williams Siobhan Graham Winnie Li Jeremy Booth Helen A. McNair |
| author_facet | Meegan Shepherd Elizabeth Joyce Bethany Williams Siobhan Graham Winnie Li Jeremy Booth Helen A. McNair |
| author_sort | Meegan Shepherd |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This commentary discusses the implementation of online adaptive radiation therapy (oART) in cancer treatment within the context of current challenges faced by radiation therapy professionals. oART enables modifications to treatment plans based on daily imaging, enhancing target accuracy while minimising harm to surrounding organs. Despite its potential to improve patient outcomes, the application of oART is hindered by notable barriers, particularly in human resources. A global shortage of skilled radiation professionals such as radiation therapists or therapeutic radiographers (RTTs), medical physicists and radiation oncologists, along with training challenges in online adaptive techniques, hinders oART implementation and sustainability. Moreover, geographical disparities limit access to advanced training programs, leaving RTTs and their patients in underserved regions at a disadvantage. There is growing global evidence that RTTs are being successfully trained to lead adaptive fractions in both cone-beam computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging guided oART. This commentary proposes the notion of standards for a global training curriculum to address barriers and expand RTT capabilities in delivering oART. By leveraging artificial intelligence and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, the radiation therapy field can enhance efficiency and accuracy in oART. Successful training models from leading institutions illustrate the importance of hands-on experience and ongoing mentorship. A coordinated effort among stakeholders is essential to establish a comprehensive global training framework, ultimately improving patient access to oART and elevating standards of care worldwide. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d83acbce74924f458a72b200d1616afc |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2405-6324 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Technical Innovations & Patient Support in Radiation Oncology |
| spelling | doaj-art-d83acbce74924f458a72b200d1616afc2025-02-12T05:31:21ZengElsevierTechnical Innovations & Patient Support in Radiation Oncology2405-63242025-03-0133100304Training for tomorrow: Establishing a worldwide curriculum in online adaptive radiation therapyMeegan Shepherd0Elizabeth Joyce1Bethany Williams2Siobhan Graham3Winnie Li4Jeremy Booth5Helen A. McNair6Northern Sydney Cancer Centre, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, Australia; Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia; Corresponding author.The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust & Institute of Cancer Research, United KingdomThe Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust & Institute of Cancer Research, United KingdomQueens Hospital, Romford, Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospital NHS Trust, United KingdomRadiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, CanadaNorthern Sydney Cancer Centre, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, Australia; Institute of Medical Physics, School of Physics, University of Sydney, NSW, AustraliaThe Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust & Institute of Cancer Research, United KingdomThis commentary discusses the implementation of online adaptive radiation therapy (oART) in cancer treatment within the context of current challenges faced by radiation therapy professionals. oART enables modifications to treatment plans based on daily imaging, enhancing target accuracy while minimising harm to surrounding organs. Despite its potential to improve patient outcomes, the application of oART is hindered by notable barriers, particularly in human resources. A global shortage of skilled radiation professionals such as radiation therapists or therapeutic radiographers (RTTs), medical physicists and radiation oncologists, along with training challenges in online adaptive techniques, hinders oART implementation and sustainability. Moreover, geographical disparities limit access to advanced training programs, leaving RTTs and their patients in underserved regions at a disadvantage. There is growing global evidence that RTTs are being successfully trained to lead adaptive fractions in both cone-beam computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging guided oART. This commentary proposes the notion of standards for a global training curriculum to address barriers and expand RTT capabilities in delivering oART. By leveraging artificial intelligence and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, the radiation therapy field can enhance efficiency and accuracy in oART. Successful training models from leading institutions illustrate the importance of hands-on experience and ongoing mentorship. A coordinated effort among stakeholders is essential to establish a comprehensive global training framework, ultimately improving patient access to oART and elevating standards of care worldwide.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405632425000058Online Adaptive Radiation Therapy (oART)TrainingEducationRadiation therapistRTT-ledRole development |
| spellingShingle | Meegan Shepherd Elizabeth Joyce Bethany Williams Siobhan Graham Winnie Li Jeremy Booth Helen A. McNair Training for tomorrow: Establishing a worldwide curriculum in online adaptive radiation therapy Technical Innovations & Patient Support in Radiation Oncology Online Adaptive Radiation Therapy (oART) Training Education Radiation therapist RTT-led Role development |
| title | Training for tomorrow: Establishing a worldwide curriculum in online adaptive radiation therapy |
| title_full | Training for tomorrow: Establishing a worldwide curriculum in online adaptive radiation therapy |
| title_fullStr | Training for tomorrow: Establishing a worldwide curriculum in online adaptive radiation therapy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Training for tomorrow: Establishing a worldwide curriculum in online adaptive radiation therapy |
| title_short | Training for tomorrow: Establishing a worldwide curriculum in online adaptive radiation therapy |
| title_sort | training for tomorrow establishing a worldwide curriculum in online adaptive radiation therapy |
| topic | Online Adaptive Radiation Therapy (oART) Training Education Radiation therapist RTT-led Role development |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405632425000058 |
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