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

Previous Treatment Planning units have provided knowledge and experience with a wide range of planning techniques encompassing the relatively simple and the highly complex procedures and tumour sites. This unit aims to introduce the student to more advanced planning topics that are currently in development and areas of current and future research. Use of new technology for planning will be outlined to make students aware of these techniques and technologies even though they may not be using them on a regular basis yet. This unit builds on the planning experience gained in PCB595 to concentrate on application of novel and complex techniques and technology to 3D planning practice. Students will be made aware of the potential benefits and challenges posed by the technology. In order to further prepare them for clinical planning, students will have the opportunity to participate in IMRT planning. Previous work on plan evaluation will be developed to allow application to IMRT planning thus students will be encouraged to integrate feedback from previous plan evaluations in PCB595 and support their work with consistent critical appraisal of the evidence base. This unit draws heavily on the current evidence base and content will necessarily change in response to new developments arising.

Aims

This unit aims to stimulate student interest in advanced planning technologies as well as providing them with an overview of current and future avenues of research.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to;

1. Evaluate underpinning theory and application of IMRT and other advanced planning technology

2. Evaluate the impact of advanced planning techniques and technologies on the patient.

3. Apply critical thinking and appraisal skills to a wide range of current literature.

4. Select appropriate methods of enquiry to gather and effectively utilise literature to support a logical argument in an academic piece of writing.

Content

· Inverse planning fundamentals
· IMRT principles and procedures
· IMRT QA
· Biological dose optimisation and evaluation.
· Volumetric arc therapy planning
· Tomotherapy planning
· Stereotactic planning
· Managing organ motion and advanced immobilisation techniques
· Adaptive radiotherapy
· Planning using IMRT optimisation software

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 advances in treatment planning. These will be complemented with practical demonstrations to consolidate your understanding. The practicals will use the 3D treatment planning system to provide you with the opportunity to experiment with image fusion and advanced planning skills. Problem-based learning will challenge you to apply your knowledge and understanding to realistic clinical situations utilising complex planning techniques.

At this stage of the Course you should be autonomous in your learning. For this unit, you will still be provided with the essential information and opportunity to practice but you will need to supplement this considerably 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 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 participate in regular online debate 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 as well as development of critical appraisal skills 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.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.

Assessment name: Literature Review
Description: You will be required to negotiate a topic area and complete a literature review on an advanced treatment planning topic.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Semester

Assessment name: Laboratory/Practical
Description: IMRT Plan Production and Evaluation:
Students will be required to produce a clinically acceptable IMRT plan. The assessment submission will comprise a critical evaluation of the plan with consistent support from a critically appraised range of current literature.
Relates to objectives: 1,2 and 3
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: During 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 (2010). Prescribing, Recording and Reporting Photon-Beam Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (ICRU Report 83)

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

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

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

6. Meyer J 2017. IMRT, IGRT, SBRT: advances in the treatment planning and delivery of radiotherapy (2nd revised and extended edition )

7. Timmerman and Xing, 2010 Image-Guided and Adaptive Radiation Therapy

A wide 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: 18-Oct-2012