Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Treatment planning is an essential component of radiation therapy skills and understanding of complex 3D planning techniques is essential. This unit builds on the basic planning experience gained in PCB396 to concentrate on application of more in-depth knowledge to complex 3D planning practice. It also links with previous anatomy learning by applying CT interpretation skills to 3D conformal planning. In order to further prepare them for clinical planning, a range of challenging plans will be completed using full 3D data sets and 3D planning techniques. This will consolidate understanding of advanced planning concepts and pave the way for progression to IMRT planning in Year 3. Students will need high levels of plan evaluation skills in order to become a competent treatment planner and this module provides them with the opportunity to further develop plan evaluation skills. Students will be expected to integrate feedback from previous plan evaluations in PCB396 and start to provide critical appraisal of the evidence base in their work.

Aims

This unit aims to provide an in-depth understanding of 3D computer planning and apply it to complex radiation therapy techniques. It also aims to further develop critical appraisal and plan evaluation skills.

Objectives

On completion of this unit the successful student will be able to;

1. Utilise 3D planning software to design and optimise dose distributions for complex planning techniques.

2. Apply knowledge of dosimetry principles and critical appraisal of literature to plan evaluation of complex 3D planning techniques.

3. Evaluate the importance of normal tissue sensitivity and patient quality of life factors on treatment planning decisions

4. Explain the theoretical basis for advanced 3D computer planning and evaluation tools and criteria.

Content

· Patient positioning and immobilisation
· 3D visualisation and planning tools
· Display parameters
· Plan optimisation in 3D
· Planning objectives and constraints
· Plan evaluation
· Specific sites to include: Basic Head and Neck, Gynaecological-Cervix, Bladder, Prostate
· Heterogeneity correction / density overrides
· Electron planning

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

A range of learning and teaching strategies will be employed in this unit. The lectures will introduce you to key concepts relating to the principles and practice of complex 3D computer planning. These will be complemented with regular practical sessions to consolidate your understanding. The practicals will use the 3D treatment planning system to provide you with the opportunity to develop genuine and relevant practical planning skills. Problem-based learning will challenge you to apply your knowledge and understanding to realistic clinical situations for a range of common complex tumour sites.
As you progress through the Course you will be expected to become increasingly active in your learning and the teaching and learning strategies in this unit require you to engage in more autonomous learning. For this unit, you will be provided with the essential information and opportunity to practice but you will need to supplement this with further reading, self-directed study and further planning practice. You will be required to reflect on your progress and performance in the unit at regular intervals. Additionally you should identify areas for development and address these with the aid of unit teaching staff where appropriate.
This unit requires you to engage with the Blackboard learning environment regularly. Specific learning materials including suggested reading, links to relevant internet sites and other electronic resources will be located on Blackboard. You will be required to complete regular online tests via Blackboard and where possible use Blackboard to submit your written assessments. A key aspect of the Course is fostering a thriving learning community and for this unit, you will need to discuss plan evaluation strategies with your peers and tutors via the Blackboard discussion board.
The final approach to teaching and learning relates to assessment for learning. The assessments for this unit are designed to ensure maximum understanding of the content and it is important that you recognise the role of assessment in your learning. You should view the assessments as part of your learning and ensure that you utilise the feedback to progress your learning and personal development.

Assessment

Students must achieve a satisfactory level of performance in both theoretical and practical components of this unit to achieve a passing grade and progress to Year 3.Feedback is provided throughout the semester, where work is reviewed and assessed. Feedback will aim to provide students with suggestions for further development of academic skills as well as suggestions for further study where appropriate. Timescales for feedback will be communicated to students prior to assessment submission but will aim to be returned within 3 weeks where possible. Provisional marks and feedback for this unit will be made available via Blackboard and accessible from the ¿My Grades¿ tool. Some tests within Blackboard will be automatically marked and these marks and automatically generated feedback will be available immediately after test submission.

Assessment name: Examination (written)
Description: End of semester written examination.
Relates to objectives: 4
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: School Based Exam

Assessment name: Laboratory/Practical
Description: Students will be provided with common tumour site CT data sets and required to produce a clinically acceptable plan for each site. The assessment submission will comprise a portfolio of plan evaluations with reference to a range of literature.
Relates to objectives: 1,2 and 3
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Required Texts

1. Khan F (2010). The Physics of Radiation Therapy. 4th Ed. Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins.

2. Khan F (2011). Treatment Planning in Radiation Oncology. 3rd Ed. Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins.

References
1. Barrett A, Dobbs J, Morris S, Roques T (2009). Practical Radiotherapy Planning. 4th Ed. Hodder Arnold

2. International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (1993). Prescribing, Recording and Reporting Photon Beam Therapy (ICRU Report 50)

3. International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (1999). Prescribing, Recording and Reporting Photon Beam Therapy. Supplement to ICRU Report 50. (ICRU Report 62)

4.International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (2010). Prescribing, Recording and Reporting Photon-Beam Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (ICRU Report 83)

5. Metcalf P, Kron T, Hoban P (2007). The Physics of Radiotherapy X-rays and Electrons. Medical Physics Publishing

A range of literature from journals including:
1. International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics
2 Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice
3. Medical Dosimetry
4. Radiotherapy and Oncology

Additional resources are located on the Blackboard site for this unit.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out-of -the-ordinary risks associated with this unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 21-Sep-2012