Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE RAD2205

 
TITLE Clinical Radiotherapy Practice 2

 
UM LEVEL 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 7

 
DEPARTMENT Radiography

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit presents radiography students with the application of theoretical radiotherapy principles into practice. This study-unit is made up of clinical practice, tutorials, demonstrations, simulations, student centred learning and student managed learning. This study-unit will build on and develop the principles of radiotherapy and oncology, patient care and related areas and their application to clinical practice to include the Linear Accelerator and Superficial Xray Unit.

Associated radiation protection will be applied to practice. Students attend for 175 hours of clinical practice related to this study-unit during the academic year and summer period. Clinical placements are assigned in consultation with the clinical centre. Students will work under the direct supervision of qualified radiographers.

Academic staff from the University monitor this practice to ensure the development of clinical skills. Academic staff from UM will also guide the development of treatment planning skills.

Study-unit Aims:

The study-unit aims to:

- Develop student knowledge of radiotherapy principles related to the use of the linear accelerator, superficial Xray Unit and radiotherapy treatment planning;
- Develop student knowledge and application of radiotherapy dose calculations;
- Develop student understanding of radiation protection guidelines for patients, staff and visitors;
- Reinforce physics principles and their application in radiotherapy practice;
- Provide a practical learning environment which encourages competent, confident - and safe working practices;
- Enable the students to understand the needs of the patient and deliver the required care as appropriate;
- Introduce the student to radiotherapy treatment planning.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Explain the terminology used within radiotherapy and oncology;
- Interpret a treatment prescription to perform simple radiation dose calculations;
- Identify the target volumes and organs at risk on CT images;
- Discuss the role of different radiotherapy techniques;
- Apply radiotherapy treatment and planning principles to treat both superficial and deep malignancies; and
- Discuss the management of radiation induced side effects.

2. Skills
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Identify critical structures and target volumes;
- Simulate a radiotherapy treatment procedure on VERT;
- Simulate a radiotherapy treatment procedure on the superficial Xray Unit;
- Perform under supervision a radiotherapy treatment procedure on the linear accelerator;
- Work within guidelines as part of the radiotherapy team in order to perform treatment techniques for malignancies that present to the radiotherapy department;
- Carry out simple dose calculations in order to implement a treatment prescription;
- Assist in the management and organisation of the daily workload on a radiotherapy treatment unit;
- Provide instructions to and communicate with the patient with regards to their radiotherapy treatment; and
- Advise and care for patients during treatment.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

- Bentel, G.C. (2013) Radiation Therapy Planning. (4th edition). New York: McGraw-Hill.
- Bomford, C. & Kunkler, I. (editors) (2012) Walter and Miller’s Textbook of Radiotherapy. (7th edition). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
- Drake, R.L., Vogl, W. & Mitchell, A.W.M. (2019) Gray’s Anatomy for Students.(4th edition). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
- Dobbs, J., Barrett, A., Morris, S.L. & Roques, T (2009) Practical Radiotherapy Planning. (4th edition). London: Hodder Arnold.
- Faithfull, S. & Wells, M. (editors) (2003) Supportive Care in Radiotherapy. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
- Hanna L., Crosby T. & Macbeth. F. (editors) (2008) Practical Clinical Oncology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Health Professions Council (2009) Standards of Proficiency. Radiographers. London: Health Professions Council.
- Health Professions Council (2009) Standards of Education and Training. London: Health Professions Council.
- Teedell, C. (2005) Concise Clinical Oncology. London: Elsevier.
- Tortora, G. & Grabowski, S. (2019) Introduction to the Human Body. The Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology, (11th edition). USA: John Wiley and Sons Inc.
- Wittekind, C., Greene, F.L.., Hutter, R.P.V., Klimpfinger, M. & Sobin, L.H. (2005) TNM Atlas. (5th edition). Berlin: Springer.

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES Please note that a pass in each assessment component is obligatory for an overall pass mark to be awarded.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Placement and Tutorial

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Competencies (See Add. Notes) See note below Yes 30%
Clinical Assessment (See Add. Notes) (1 Hour) See note below Yes 70%
Note: Assessment due date will be notified by the Faculty/Institute/Centre/School.

 
LECTURER/S Susan Mercieca (Co-ord.)

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

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