(Sunday, 7/29/2018) 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Room: Exhibit Hall
Purpose: Effective use of a computerized treatment planning system (TPS) is crucial to the education and training of medical physics students and radiation oncology residents. A freely available, high-quality set of self-guided modules for introducing trainees to TPS techniques would represent a valuable training resource. One such set of modules exists, but is limited to one specific TPS. The purpose of this work was to modify existing modules for use on our TPS, create additional modules, and test these modules for implementation into our training programs.
Methods: We created four planning modules using the Eclipse v13 (Varian, Palo Alto, CA) TPS. Three of these were based on publically available modules developed for the Pinnacle (Philips, Fitchburg, WI) TPS, including training modules for AP/PA Spine, Four-Field Breast, and Head-and-Neck IMRT. We also developed an additional Eclipse module for VMAT lung, including an introduction to SBRT planning. Included at the end of each module is a QR code that links to a Google form for feedback. This four-part course has been implemented in a radiation oncology physics residency and a radiation oncology medical residency.
Results: Four treatment planning modules representing different sites and delivery modalities have been created and tested by trainees with varying experience and education. Reviews from trainees have been positive and indicate an improvement in understanding of planning concepts. These modules were also translated into French and used to train visiting staff from a developing country implementing their first commercial computerized TPS. These modules have served as a critical component of the successful implementation of advanced radiotherapy planning in a developing country.
Conclusion: We have created a set of free, self-guided treatment planning modules to train new users of the Eclipse TPS. We intend to make our modules, example plans, and feedback mechanism available to the public.
Keywords
Treatment Planning, Treatment Techniques
Taxonomy
TH- External beam- photons: treatment planning/virtual clinical studies
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