Radiotherapy plan evaluation tool in a resource-limited setting: Comparison of VERT and treatment planning software.

INTRODUCTION: Simulation is becoming increasingly popular in clinical education due to a shortage of resources. The Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training (VERT) assists students in developing their skills by providing realistic simulations of clinical radiation oncology treatments. It has also been used to help students around the world learn how to evaluate treatment plans. AIM: The aim of this research is to evaluate version 5 of the VERT as a radiation therapy teaching tool for evaluating 3D treatment plans compared with treatment planning software tools in a limited resource setting. METHODS: A quantitative design using an adapted online questionnaire was used for the study. All students registered for a bachelor's degree in a radiation therapy programme at the university's Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences were invited to a 90 min treatment planning session to evaluate two plans. First to fourth year students were evenly divided among eight groups. Four groups used the ECLIPSE TPS software (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto), and the other four groups used VERT version 5.0 (Virtual Ltd, Hull) to evaluate the same plans. RESULTS: This study demonstrated that VERT version 5.0 has the potential to improve the training of radiation therapy students in environments with limited resources as a plan evaluation tool alongside the treatment planning software tools. All respondents found the session useful, with 55% of students indicating that the session was extremely useful. CONCLUSION: Insights into the value of VERT as a teaching tool could contribute to improving training efficacy in contexts with resource limitations that are present in many clinical settings.

The experiences of mine workers with cancer.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is a disease that instils a fear of death in the minds of most people. For South African mine workers, the fear of death is compounded by a fear of being unable to fulfil work obligations in an industry where employment is central to the miners' identity. AIM: The purpose of this research was to explore and describe the experiences of mine workers experiencing a cancer diagnosis requiring radiation therapy. SETTING: Mining towns in the Limpopo province, Thabazimbi and Lephalale. METHODS: A qualitative, descriptive and exploratory study design was utilised. The purposeful sample consisted of 11 mine workers receiving treatment at a radiotherapy centre in the North West province. Data were collected using an open-ended questionnaire and individual in-depth telephonic interviews. Data were analysed using open coding to identify themes. RESULTS: The themes identified were the emotional experience resulting from the diagnosis, changing family dynamics and information needs from radiotherapy professionals. The psychosocial support required by this group of patients is unique and radiation therapists need to provide wholistic support that is tailored to address the contextual needs of this group of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Mine workers often live far away from their family and are forced to face the cancer journey alone without family support. Oncology professionals, therefore, need to create supportive structures, including emotional and financial counselling, to ensure compliance with treatment protocols, thus facilitating a positive treatment outcome.