Abstract
The role of radiation therapy technologist in interventional radiotherapy (brachytherapy) in Italy: Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (AIRO) and Italian Association of Radiation Therapy and Medical Physics Technologists (AITRO) joint project
- UOC Radioterapia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini, Radioterapia Oncologica ed Ematologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Department of Radiotherapy, San Filippo Neri Hospital, ASL Roma 1, Rome, Italy
- U.O. Radioterapia e radiochirurgia, Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano (MI), Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery and Translational Medicine, Radiotherapy Oncology, Sapienza University of Rome, S. Andrea Hospital, Roma, Italy
- Protontherapy Department, Azienda Provinciale per i Servizi Sanitari (APSS), Trento, Italy
- Department of Oncology-Radiotherapy, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
- Dipartimento Oncologico e Tecnologie Avanzate, Servizio di Fisica Medica, AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Italy
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Department of Radiotherapy, IEO European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
- Radiation Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera San Camillo-Forlanini, Rome, Italy
Introduction
Interventional radiotherapy (IRT, brachytherapy and intra-operative radiotherapy) is a complex treatment approach that requires a multi-professional approach. The aim of this work was to assess the role of radiation therapy technologist (RTT) in IRT team, with a special focus on brachytherapy as well as to define more appropriate ways to improve skills and training to promote cooperation of multi-professional team.
Material and methods
A nationwide survey consisting of 16 questions was proposed between April and May 2020, with collaboration between the Italian Association of Radiation Therapy and Medical Physics Technologists (AITRO) and the Interventional Radiotherapy Study Group of Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology (AIRO). The survey was sent through the AITRO contact list to RTTs’ contacts from all Italian radiotherapy (RT) departments.
Results
A total of 37 answered questionnaires returned (36% of all contacts reached), each from different center. 23 centers (62%) presented with dedicated team for IRT treatments, while 15 centers (41%) had dedicated RTT staff. The majority of RTT (86%) did not consider undergraduate training adequate to acquire the skills required to work in IRT departments or units.
Conclusions
This survey underlines the need of additional education and training for RTTs that should focus on treatment management optimization in development of an IRT multi-professional team. Specific updates could be the key to develop further collaboration and to improve cancer patient care.
Keywords
interventional radiotherapy, brachytherapy, RTT
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