Behind the Scenes: Radiotherapy technical training through professionals' eyes
Training technical professionals for Radiotherapy is essential due to growing demand caused by early cancer diagnoses, global population aging, rising cancer rates, and evolving equipment and techniques. Our objective was to gather insights from graduates of various courses who are now working profe...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2024-06-01
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| Series: | Technical Innovations & Patient Support in Radiation Oncology |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405632424000143 |
| _version_ | 1827243129752780800 |
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| author | M. Strasser M.H. Senger |
| author_facet | M. Strasser M.H. Senger |
| author_sort | M. Strasser |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Training technical professionals for Radiotherapy is essential due to growing demand caused by early cancer diagnoses, global population aging, rising cancer rates, and evolving equipment and techniques. Our objective was to gather insights from graduates of various courses who are now working professionally, based on the principle that one way to assess educational training is by considering the attributes that trained and active professionals deem important in the improvement courses they have taken.A cross-sectional study (approved at the local Research Ethics Committee) was conducted, involving an online survey for the opinion of professionals already qualified as radiotherapy technicians or technologists and engaged in this work. The questionnaire consisted of 12 objective multiple-choice questions and four open-ended questions.Of the 59 received responses, 49 professionals completed some course. Thirty-one (64.6%) pursued improvement/enhancement, followed by specialization (15; 31.2%) and extension (two; 4.2%). Thirty-four (69.4%) respondents had not engaged in any practical activities during their training. As for course weaknesses, respondents cited: inflexible schedule (29; 59.2%), distance from residence (12; 24.5%), low hourly load (four; 8.2%), and other issues (four; 8.2%).The data underscores the need to adjust technical training in Radiotherapy, emphasizing the importance of a recognized professional team, practical learning, flexible schedules, and financial viability.The strategic perspective of radiotherapy technicians currently working in this job market, emphasized the need for an adjustment in the offering of courses. These insights provide more well-structured foundations for contemporary teaching and learning processes, considering current societal characteristics, technological advances, and future student demands. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T13:11:03Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d33b731874a94feca2f7ee89524940a1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2405-6324 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-03-21T22:07:22Z |
| publishDate | 2024-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Technical Innovations & Patient Support in Radiation Oncology |
| spelling | doaj.art-d33b731874a94feca2f7ee89524940a12024-05-25T04:55:35ZengElsevierTechnical Innovations & Patient Support in Radiation Oncology2405-63242024-06-0130100247Behind the Scenes: Radiotherapy technical training through professionals' eyesM. Strasser0M.H. Senger1Radiation Oncologist, Luthes Radioterapia, Sorocaba, Master's student in Education for Health Professions Program, Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo, BrazilFull Professor in the Areas of Endocrinology and Education for Health Professions, Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo, BrazilTraining technical professionals for Radiotherapy is essential due to growing demand caused by early cancer diagnoses, global population aging, rising cancer rates, and evolving equipment and techniques. Our objective was to gather insights from graduates of various courses who are now working professionally, based on the principle that one way to assess educational training is by considering the attributes that trained and active professionals deem important in the improvement courses they have taken.A cross-sectional study (approved at the local Research Ethics Committee) was conducted, involving an online survey for the opinion of professionals already qualified as radiotherapy technicians or technologists and engaged in this work. The questionnaire consisted of 12 objective multiple-choice questions and four open-ended questions.Of the 59 received responses, 49 professionals completed some course. Thirty-one (64.6%) pursued improvement/enhancement, followed by specialization (15; 31.2%) and extension (two; 4.2%). Thirty-four (69.4%) respondents had not engaged in any practical activities during their training. As for course weaknesses, respondents cited: inflexible schedule (29; 59.2%), distance from residence (12; 24.5%), low hourly load (four; 8.2%), and other issues (four; 8.2%).The data underscores the need to adjust technical training in Radiotherapy, emphasizing the importance of a recognized professional team, practical learning, flexible schedules, and financial viability.The strategic perspective of radiotherapy technicians currently working in this job market, emphasized the need for an adjustment in the offering of courses. These insights provide more well-structured foundations for contemporary teaching and learning processes, considering current societal characteristics, technological advances, and future student demands.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405632424000143 |
| spellingShingle | M. Strasser M.H. Senger Behind the Scenes: Radiotherapy technical training through professionals' eyes Technical Innovations & Patient Support in Radiation Oncology |
| title | Behind the Scenes: Radiotherapy technical training through professionals' eyes |
| title_full | Behind the Scenes: Radiotherapy technical training through professionals' eyes |
| title_fullStr | Behind the Scenes: Radiotherapy technical training through professionals' eyes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Behind the Scenes: Radiotherapy technical training through professionals' eyes |
| title_short | Behind the Scenes: Radiotherapy technical training through professionals' eyes |
| title_sort | behind the scenes radiotherapy technical training through professionals eyes |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405632424000143 |
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