WE‐G‐BRA‐01: Development of a Web‐Based Dosimetry Training Tool for Therapy and Dosimetry Education

Abstract

Inter-institutional evaluation improves the quality and generalizability of instructional modules. Carefully designed online learning modules are viewed as effective teaching tools by dosimetry students. The clinical dosimetry teaching tool will be made accessible to therapy and dosimetry training programs worldwide. This work is supported by NCI grant 5R25-CA134307.

Review of online educational resources for medical physicists

“…The RREMP project (formally known as Remote Real‐Time Learning (RRTL)) was initiated with the expressed interest of developing a means of providing medical physics didactic training to physicists living in small communities and/or remote regions of the world where access to formal, classroom‐based learning might be limited or nonexistent (35–37) (personal communication with M. Woo, June 12, 2013). Through a collaborative effort between the Department of Medical Physics at the Toronto‐Sunnybrook Regional Cancer Centre and the Department of Radiology at the University of Malaysia, a pilot project was initiated and is on‐going.…”

“…A new computer‐based learning initiative is underway at the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine ( 35 , 36 ) (personal communication with R.D. Adams, April 26, 2012, and with E.M. Zeman, April 24, 2012).…”

“…A team headed by Dr. Robert Adams has developed a series of educational modules that would allow students to develop and hone practical, hands‐on skills using a treatment planning system (PLanUNC). The modules consist of didactic and interactive components, and are designed to allow students to apply their newly acquired knowledge in topics such as target delineation, dose calculations, electron dosimetry, treatment planning (beginning with two‐field plans), beam modifiers, and anatomic planning considerations (35) (personal communication with E.M. Zeman, April 24, 2012). Short quizzes are given to the students pre‐ and post‐module completion to assess their level of comprehension and retention (35) .…”

“…The modules consist of didactic and interactive components, and are designed to allow students to apply their newly acquired knowledge in topics such as target delineation, dose calculations, electron dosimetry, treatment planning (beginning with two‐field plans), beam modifiers, and anatomic planning considerations (35) (personal communication with E.M. Zeman, April 24, 2012). Short quizzes are given to the students pre‐ and post‐module completion to assess their level of comprehension and retention (35) . The modules are currently geared to radiation therapy and dosimetry students; however, their utility for radiation oncology and medical physics residents will be evaluated at a later date.…”