A review of the Best Practice in Radiation Oncology project from 2008 to 2018.

The European Society of Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO)/International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Best Practice in Radiation Oncology-a project to train RTT trainers has reached its ten year anniversary and will commence its fifth iteration in 2018. This project commenced as a novel way to address the issue of limited RTT education throughout Europe. In many countries the profession of RTT is not officially recognised and there is no formal education programme. RTT education is frequently a very short component of a broader programme such as diagnostic imaging, nursing or a technical discipline. To date, fifty-nine short courses have been delivered, two RTT-specific National societies have been developed, a South East European cooperation with biannual conferences has evolved and significant progress has been made on improving the radiotherapy-specific content of national educational programmes, which will continue with future iterations of this project.

ESTRO ACROP guidelines for positioning, immobilisation and position verification of head and neck patients for radiation therapists.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Over the last decade, the management of locally advanced head and neck cancers (HNCs) has seen a substantial increase in the use of chemoradiation. These guidelines have been developed to assist Radiation TherapisTs (RTTs) in positioning, immobilisation and position verification for head and neck cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A critical review of the literature was undertaken by the writing committee.Based on the literature review, a survey was developed to ascertain the current positioning, immobilisation and position verification methods for head and neck radiation therapy across Europe. The survey was translated into Italian, German, Greek, Portuguese, Russian, Croatian, French and Spanish.Guidelines were subsequently developed by the writing committee. RESULTS: Results from the survey indicated that a wide variety of treatment practices and treatment verification protocols are in operation for head and neck cancer patients across Europe currently.The guidelines developed are based on the experience and expertise of the writing committee, remaining cognisant of the variations in imaging and immobilisation techniques used currently in Europe. CONCLUSIONS: These guidelines have been developed to provide RTTs with guidance on positioning, immobilisation and position verification of HNC patients. The guidelines will also provide RTTs with the means to critically reflect on their own daily clinical practice with this patient group.

Revised European core curriculum for RTs.

AIM: To update the first version of the European core curriculum to reflect many developments in radiotherapy and educational philosophy that have taken place in the interim period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The first version of the European core curriculum was reviewed by the Steering Group together with current education programmes from the various member states and taking into account the developments and changes that have taken place in radiotherapy. From these initial meetings, a working document and provisional timetable were prepared. Given the diversity of the existing programmes, the language difficulties and lack of national curricula it was agreed that a representative from both the clinical and academic areas endorsed by their national professional body would be identified for each country. These participants were then invited to participate in two workshops and the working document and timetable were circulated. Two workshops were held and a final draft document was circulated to the professional bodies and other interested groups. RESULTS: The revised European Core Curriculum for RTTs was endorsed by the participants of the workshops representing academic and clinical areas of all the member states and was welcomed by the wider circulation. Compared to the first version the revised curriculum describes the background underpinning the practice of radiation therapy and the variation across the member states, issues of staffing, educational philosophy, certification level, legislation governing recognition of qualifications and a core syllabus. CONCLUSION: The revised core curriculum is an important step in the progress of professional recognition for RTTs, towards harmonisation of education programmes in Europe and meeting the aim of best practice and equality of care for all patients receiving radiotherapy. Responsibility for developing education programmes from the curriculum will rest with the local and/or national education bodies and authorities.