RTP5105 · Principles of adaptive radiation therapy

Overview

This elective unit in the Master of Advanced Health Care Practice is designed to meet the needs of Radiation Therapists seeking to extend their understanding of the principles and application of adaptive radiation therapy (ART) techniques in clinical practice. Principles of ART, including advanced sectional anatomy and imaging, contouring, artificial intelligence and ART planning techniques and equipment, will be studied with a requirement for you to analyse and reflect on how these would be implemented in clinical practice. You will gain an in-depth knowledge in ART dosimetry, clinical decision making and ART workflows used in clinical practice. All topics will be explored with an evidence-based perspective. A range of current and emerging adaptive technologies will be taught in this unit. You will also be able to critically evaluate a range of professional issues associated with the implementation of ART. A range of issues associated with on-treatment imaging, quality assurance, accuracy and reproducibility related to adaptive radiation therapy will be explored.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Critically evaluate ART techniques with reference to on-treatment imaging and dosimetry evaluation, influencers and their impact on treatment planning and delivery.
2. Describe in detail the anatomical and pathophysiological features related to specific diagnoses considered in the delineation of tumour volumes and organs at risk, and evaluate contouring processes used for ART.
3. Appraise simulation, planning and dosimetry software, processes and techniques used for ART.
4. Analyse in detail the physical principles and operation of equipment used for ART.
5. Critically analyse the radiobiological and oncological principles related to dose and fractionation schedules for ART.
6. Analyse and synthesise the impact of adaptive radiation therapy on organs at risk, dose constraints and toxicity and evaluate side effect management strategies.
7. Appraise the concepts of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Deep Learning in the context of ART.
8. Evaluate the principles of clinical decision making, clinical practice guidelines, protocol and workflow development applying these to ART.
9. Appraise and reflect on issues associated with the implementation, quality assurance and evaluation of ART.

Workload

Off-campus: 12 hours per week of direct engagement in the learning materials and 11.5 hours of self - directed study for 12 weeks. 1 hour per fortnight online support session

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.