Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

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

Rationale

Oncology and technique are an essential component of radiation therapy skills and application of fundamental principles to routine treatment practice is essential. This unit builds on the fundamental theories of PCB397 to concentrate on application of knowledge to practice. Students will need to gain practical skills in order to become a competent radiation therapist and this module provides them with the underpinning theory and practice. Students at this level are expected to engage with the literature base in order to support their work and they will have specific support for this via the presentation.

Aims

This unit is designed to further develop and apply the principles of oncology and technique for more advanced treatment sites.

Objectives

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

1. Evaluate radiotherapy modalities for a range of tumour sites
2. Critically evaluate the clinical management options of complex tumour sites
3. Critically evaluate the importance of a holistic approach to clinical management and patient care.

Content

Superficial and orthovoltage equipment
Psychology of palliative care and dying

Tumour sites to include:
CNS
Skin (inc superficial and electrons)
Paediatrics
Electrons
Lymphoma

You will become familiar with the following for each site:
Physiology
Patient pre-treatment assessment process
Histology and Staging
Optimal treatment techniques
Combined modality treatments
Typical treatment reactions
Patient care during RT, including psychosocial issues
Treatment verification (IGRT)

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 oncology and technique. These will be complemented with regular practical sessions to consolidate your understanding. The practicals will use hospital based linacs to provide you with the opportunity to develop genuine and relevant practical skills. Problem-based learning will challenge you to apply your knowledge and understanding to realistic clinical situations for a range of common 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

All assessment contributes to unit results. Students must achieve at least 50% to be awarded a passing grade in order to progress to Specialised Radiation Therapy.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 4 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: Case Study
Description: Case report based on the management of a relevant patient to be negotiated with the unit coordinator.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2 and 3.
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: During Semester

Assessment name: Examination (written)
Description: Examination (theory).
Relates to objectives: 1, 2 and 3.
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Final Exam Period

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

1. Tobias, J. And Hochhauser, D. (2010) Cancer and its Management 6th Edition

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

3. Washington CM, Leaver D (2009) Principles and Practice of Radiation Therapy, 3rd edition, St Louis: Mo Mosby

4 Williams JR & Thwaites DI (2000) Radiotherapy Physics in Practice, 2nd edition, Oxford Medical Publishing.

Risk assessment statement

Mould preparation requires the use of minimally hazardous materials. Information regarding the safe handling of the materials and suitable protective gear will be supplied by the university. Previous radiation safety training provided to you, direct professional supervision and the radiation monitor supplied to you satifies the requirements of the radiation use licence you hold. These together manage the risks associated with the hospital work integrated learning experiences and also satisfy the clinical department's radiation safety policies.

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: 18-Oct-2012