The NSW Radiation Therapy PDY educational program. A review of the 2002 and 2003 programs

Abstract

Each month, nine radiation oncology departments in the public health sector in New South Wales host a one‐day educational program for graduate practitioners completing their professional development year (PDY). Various topics are presented which are considered relevant to graduates in the transition from the academic environment to full time work in busy clinical departments. This paper presents the findings of a review of the NSW State Radiation Therapy PDY educational program for 2002 and 2003 instigated by the NSW Chiefs Group. The program was evaluated to determine whether it enhanced the learning experiences of graduate practitioners during the PDY. The results indicate the educational program has been successful in enhancing the skills of the radiation therapy graduate practitioners. This finding suggests the program is having a positive impact on the experience of the graduate practitioners within radiation therapy in NSW.

Professional development workshops for graduate practitioners in radiation therapy: identifying preferred topics with the nominal group technique

“…4 From 2002 to 2004, the NSW Chiefs group organised PDY workshops, as part of the PDY educational programme, for the graduate practitioner RTs to further ease this transition. 5 Monthly educational days or workshops were held at nine ROTCs across NSW. 4 "The graduate practitioners found all of the presentations informative and relevant to clinical practice".…”