Course Overview
This module aims to enhance your understanding of the principles of radiotherapy dosimetry and radiobiological factors affecting dose distribution.
This module will be run through a range of weekly lectures. The lectures will provide you with the basic knowledge and understanding of radiotherapy planning and the principles and regulations which govern planning practices. You will also learn to appreciate how radiobiology principals affect the choices we make with regards to plan choice, dose fractionation and how we know if a plan is clinically acceptable.
Course content includes:
Review of imaging anatomy
Evidence supporting current radiotherapy techniques
Terms used in radiotherapy planning
Principles of radiotherapy planning including those related to IMRT and adaptive planning techniques and other areas of Radiotherapy
Factors that affect isodose distribution and beam application for a variety of common treatment sites
Methods of evaluating radiotherapy plans
Use of evidence-base to support plan evaluation and dose prescription
Radiobiological concepts related to radiotherapy planning, such as cell survival curves, response to radiation, OER, LET, radiation effects, fractionation, 5R's of radiobiology and future clinical applications.
Using an inquiry−based approach, students will gather a wide range of evidence and information in order to thoroughly explore the module topics. Through critical evaluation and analysis of the evidence base they will consolidate their knowledge and understanding of radiotherapy planning and dosimetry and the radiobiological concepts that inform dose prescription. Formative feedback and assessment embraces assessment activities so that students have the opportunity to develop the necessary skills for successful achievement.
Learning outcomes
Learning Outcomes Knowledge and understanding:
Successful students will typically...
1. Critically appraise the dosimetric principles and evidence underpinning
radiotherapy planning theories and techniques.
Learning Outcomes: Skills and Attributes
Successful students will typically...
1. Make informed judgements on the appropriateness of images used in
localisation and planning to evidence clinical treatment decisions.
2. Apply effective critical evaluation on a range of radiotherapy plans and
dose prescriptions, considering anatomy, radiobiological concepts and
dosimetric principles presented with reference to the appropriate evidence-
base.
Assessment
Typically a 3000-word critical appraisal of a of a treatment plan.
This course is facilitated by Ruth Rowse who guides you through your learner journey, using on-line activities and tasks to support your learning.