Radiation therapists' perceptions of the minimum level of experience required to perform portal image analysis

Background and purpose: Our aim was to explore radiation therapists’ views on the level of experience necessary to undertake portal image analysis and clinical decision making. Materials and methods: A questionnaire was developed to determine the availability of portal imaging equipment in Australia...

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Main Authors: Rybovic, M., Halkett, Georgia, Banati, R., Cox, J.
Format: Journal Article
Published: Elsevier Ltd 2008
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/36074
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author Rybovic, M.
Halkett, Georgia
Banati, R.
Cox, J.
author_facet Rybovic, M.
Halkett, Georgia
Banati, R.
Cox, J.
author_sort Rybovic, M.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Background and purpose: Our aim was to explore radiation therapists’ views on the level of experience necessary to undertake portal image analysis and clinical decision making. Materials and methods: A questionnaire was developed to determine the availability of portal imaging equipment in Australia and New Zealand. We analysed radiation therapists’ responses to a specific question regarding their opinion on the minimum level of experience required for health professionals to analyse portal images. We used grounded theory and a constant comparative method of data analysis to derive the main themes.Results: Forty-six radiation oncology facilities were represented in our survey, with 40 questionnaires being returned (87%). Thirty-seven radiation therapists answered our free-text question. Radiation therapists indicated three main themes which they felt were important in determining the minimum level of experience: ‘gaining on-the-job experience’, ‘receiving training’ and ‘working as a team’. Conclusions: Radiation therapists indicated that competence in portal image review occurs via various learning mechanisms. Further research is warranted to determine perspectives of other health professionals, such as radiation oncologists, on portal image review becoming part of radiation therapists’ extended role. Suitable training programs and steps for implementation should be developed to facilitate this endeavour.
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publishDate 2008
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-360742020-11-26T07:31:44Z Radiation therapists' perceptions of the minimum level of experience required to perform portal image analysis Rybovic, M. Halkett, Georgia Banati, R. Cox, J. Radiation therapist Experience Role extension Portal imaging Questionnaire Background and purpose: Our aim was to explore radiation therapists’ views on the level of experience necessary to undertake portal image analysis and clinical decision making. Materials and methods: A questionnaire was developed to determine the availability of portal imaging equipment in Australia and New Zealand. We analysed radiation therapists’ responses to a specific question regarding their opinion on the minimum level of experience required for health professionals to analyse portal images. We used grounded theory and a constant comparative method of data analysis to derive the main themes.Results: Forty-six radiation oncology facilities were represented in our survey, with 40 questionnaires being returned (87%). Thirty-seven radiation therapists answered our free-text question. Radiation therapists indicated three main themes which they felt were important in determining the minimum level of experience: ‘gaining on-the-job experience’, ‘receiving training’ and ‘working as a team’. Conclusions: Radiation therapists indicated that competence in portal image review occurs via various learning mechanisms. Further research is warranted to determine perspectives of other health professionals, such as radiation oncologists, on portal image review becoming part of radiation therapists’ extended role. Suitable training programs and steps for implementation should be developed to facilitate this endeavour. 2008 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/36074 10.1016/j.radi.2007.07.004 Elsevier Ltd restricted
spellingShingle Radiation therapist
Experience
Role extension
Portal imaging
Questionnaire
Rybovic, M.
Halkett, Georgia
Banati, R.
Cox, J.
Radiation therapists' perceptions of the minimum level of experience required to perform portal image analysis
title Radiation therapists' perceptions of the minimum level of experience required to perform portal image analysis
title_full Radiation therapists' perceptions of the minimum level of experience required to perform portal image analysis
title_fullStr Radiation therapists' perceptions of the minimum level of experience required to perform portal image analysis
title_full_unstemmed Radiation therapists' perceptions of the minimum level of experience required to perform portal image analysis
title_short Radiation therapists' perceptions of the minimum level of experience required to perform portal image analysis
title_sort radiation therapists' perceptions of the minimum level of experience required to perform portal image analysis
topic Radiation therapist
Experience
Role extension
Portal imaging
Questionnaire
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/36074