A simulated clinic to build interprofessional and authentic learning opportunities for shaping future practice in medical radiation professionals.

Background: Simulation based learning provides an opportunity to increase student readiness prior to clinical placement. Cross disciplinary learning facilitates interprofessional competency building and improved student appreciation of other health professions, which adds another learning dimension to simulated scenarios. This paper outlines the approach to facilitating an interdisciplinary simulated clinic, where experiences were mapped to common professional capabilities.

Proton radiation therapy patient selection and impacts of COVID-19: A scoping review.

This scoping review aimed to determine whether the COVID-19 pandemic influenced any modifications to patient selection methods or prioritisation and services provided by proton therapy (PT) centres. This review was conducted based on the PRISMA methodology and Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review guidelines. A literature search was performed in Medline, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus, as well as grey literature.

'Is the technology essential or emerging?' Ways to keep radiation therapy curriculum agile amid rapidly advancing technology.

Advancing technology in radiation therapy can significantly influence clinical practice and improvement of patient outcomes. In the process, innovations in technology require that changes to clinical practice are adopted within education settings. This commentary aims to describe the uptake of new technology and ways that academics provide an up-to-date curriculum when today's innovation is tomorrow's contemporary practice.

Innovative strategies implemented by universities to support medical radiation science students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all facets of life. In medical radiation science (MRS) education, the effects on continuity of learning were felt by educators, students and clinical supervisors both nationally and internationally. The focus of this commentary is on the common elements that impacted MRS students, specifically related to cancelled clinical placements and the interruption to their academic progress at university.

A scoping review of patient selection methods for proton therapy.

The aim was to explore various national and international clinical decision-making tools and dose comparison methods used for selecting cancer patients for proton versus X-ray radiation therapy. To address this aim, a literature search using defined scoping review methods was performed in Medline and Embase databases as well as grey literature. Articles published between 1 January 2015 and 4 August 2020 and those that clearly stated methods of proton versus X-ray therapy patient selection and those published in English were eligible for inclusion.

Impact of Breast Size on Dosimetric Indices in Proton Versus X-ray Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer.

Deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) radiotherapy is a technique used to manage early stage left-sided breast cancer. This study compared dosimetric indices of patient-specific X-ray versus proton therapy DIBH plans to explore differences in target coverage, radiation doses to organs at risk, and the impact of breast size. Radiotherapy plans of sixteen breast cancer patients previously treated with DIBH radiotherapy were re-planned with hybrid inverse-planned intensity modulated X-ray radiotherapy (h-IMRT) and intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT).

Efficacy of topical Calendula officinalis on prevalence of radiation-induced dermatitis: A randomised controlled trial.

Objectives: A randomised controlled trial was undertaken to compare the efficacy of topical Calendula officinalis (Calendula) versus standard of care (Sorbolene: 10% glycerine in cetomacragol cream) in reducing the prevalence of radiation-induced dermatitis in women undergoing breast cancer radiotherapy.

Methods: A total of 271 women were screened and 82 were randomised. The primary outcome was prevalence of acute radiation-induced dermatitis (RTOG grade 2+) assessed at multiple skin sites.

Effect of patient size on image quality in radiotherapy kV planar verification imaging: a phantom study.

Introduction: This study aimed to determine a maximal pelvic separation and waist circumference in pelvic patients to guide radiation therapists in acquiring kilovoltage (kV) planar images of acceptable quality for treatment verification.

Methods: A pelvic anthropomorphic phantom modified with different bolus thicknesses was imaged at various default kV exposure settings. Radiation therapists rated image quality and acceptance/rejection of these images for treatment verification.

Are further studies needed to justify the use of proton therapy for paediatric cancers of the central nervous system? A review of current evidence.

Clinical implementation of proton therapy demonstrated its potential to overcome some limitations of the more traditional, photon-based radiotherapy, due to physical and radiobiological advantages of protons. However, questions concerning the long-term effects of protons on paediatric patients need outcome analysis of the reported literature in order to be answered. The current paper has analysed the available clinical trials and comparative studies (protons vs photons) for paediatric cancers of the central nervous system (CNS) analysing the reported outcomes and follow-up times in order to evaluate the safety of proton therapy for this patient group.

A Retrospective Dosimetric Study of Radiotherapy Patients with Left-Sided Breast Cancer; Patient Selection Criteria for Deep Inspiration Breath Hold Technique.

Background: Several studies have investigated cardiac dose reduction when utilizing the deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) technique in patients undergoing radiotherapy for left-sided breast cancer. This paper aims to recommend potential selection criteria based on a retrospective single institute study of free breathing (FB) and DIBH computed tomography (CT) simulation planning scans.

Methods: Dosimetric comparisons were performed retrospectively for 20 patients correlating the dose reduction and patient anatomical factors (anatomical variation of chest shape, chest wall separation, total lung volume (TLV) and others).

Treatment-Related Adverse Effects in Lung Cancer Patients after Stereotactic Ablative Radiation Therapy.

Introduction: Lung cancer is a disease which, despite the advancements in treatment, still has a very poor 5-year survival rate. Stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR) is a highly advanced, sophisticated, and safe treatment which allows patients with early stage lung cancer to be treated effectively without invasive procedures and with excellent clinical outcomes. Avoiding surgery minimises morbidity and recovery time, bettering patients' quality of life.

Current status of proton therapy outcome for paediatric cancers of the central nervous system - Analysis of the published literature.

Introduction: The most common solid tumours that develop in children are cancers of the central nervous system. Due to the increased rate of survival over the past decades, greater focus has been placed on the minimisation of long term side effects. In childhood cancer survivors, over 60% report one or more radiation-related late toxicities while half of these adverse events are graded as life-threatening or severe.

Do SABR-related toxicities for lung cancer depend on treatment delivery?

Stereotactic ablative radiation therapy for lung cancer is an advanced technique where tumours are ablated with hypofractionated radiation doses, with a high degree of accuracy. The aim of this paper is to review the available literature and to discuss the SABR-induced toxicities for lung malignancies as a function of radiation delivery technique. A Medline search was conducted to identify the appropriate literature to fulfil the aim of this review and data from all applicable papers were collated and analysed.

An Interprofessional Learning Workshop for Mammography and Sonography Students Focusing on Breast Cancer Care and Management Via Simulation: A Pilot Study.

Rationale And Objectives: The literature surrounding interprofessional education claims that students who learn with, from, and about one another in well-designed interprofessional programs will practice together collaboratively upon graduation, given the skills to do so. The objective of this study was to examine attitudes to interprofessional practice before and after an interprofessional learning (IPL) activity.

Materials And Methods: A total of 35 postgraduate medical imaging students attended a week-long mammography workshop.

Practice patterns of radiation therapy technology in Australia: results of a national audit.

Introduction: This article presents the results of a single-day census of radiation therapy (RT) treatment and technology use in Australia. The primary aim of the study was to ascertain patterns of RT practice and technology in use across Australia. These data were primarily collated to inform curriculum development of academic programs, thereby ensuring that training is matched to workforce patterns of practice.

How do Medical Radiation Science educators keep up with the [clinical] Joneses?

Introduction: Medical radiation science (MRS) disciplines include medical imaging, radiation therapy and nuclear medicine. These allied health fields are technology driven and evolving rapidly with regard to imaging and treatment techniques within the clinical environment. This research aims to identify the activities academics are currently participating in to maintain clinical currency and offer strategies to support academics to connect with an ever-changing clinical environment.