What does this research mean for the field?

An interprofessional educational course significantly improves the knowledge and comfort of radiation oncology residents and radiation therapy technologists in managing radiation therapy treatment challenges. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an interprofessional educational course on radiation therapy challenges among RTTs and oncology residents.

May 5, 2026

Managing Radiation Therapy Treatment Delivery Challenges: Impact of an Interprofessional Educational Series for Radiation Therapists and Radiation Oncology Residents.

Key Points

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an interprofessional educational course on radiation therapy challenges among RTTs and oncology residents.
Conducted nine one-hour interprofessional sessions over one year focusing on radiation therapy treatment challenges.
Utilized anonymous pre- and post-test assessments to evaluate participant knowledge and comfort levels before and after the course.
Collected data on demographics, knowledge through multiple choice, and comfort using a Likert-type scale.
Pre-test scores averaged 58.9% correct, which increased to 70.6% post-test (p = 0.002).
Comfort level improved significantly: 56.8% of respondents felt comfortable pre-test versus 83.4% post-test (p < 0.001).
A substantial portion of respondents rated the sessions as highly useful and relevant to future practice (median scores of 5, IQR 5-5).

Abstract

Radiation oncology residents report varying confidence with on-treatment setup challenges (J Cancer Educ Off J Am Assoc Cancer Educ 36(2):278-283 (2021)). Radiation therapy technologist (RTT) training is variable across institutions (Tech Innov Patient Support Radiat Oncol 24:59-62 (2022)). This study assesses the impact of an interprofessional educational course on RTT and radiation oncology resident knowledge and comfort with managing radiation therapy (RT) treatment challenges. An interprofessional course on managing RT treatment challenges was offered to radiation oncology residents, RTTs, and other team members. Each site-specific session was given by an expert radiation oncology attending with in-person and virtual attendees. Anonymous pre- and post-tests were collected via QR code. Pretests assessed demographics, knowledge (2 multiple choice questions), and comfort (Likert-type Scale, 1-5) with the material. Post-tests also assessed utility and potential implementation. Statistical tests compared pre- vs. post-tests. Nine one-hour sessions were conducted over one year. Respondents were mostly radiation oncology residents/attendings (47.5%) and RTTs (46.3%). 175 pretests and 156 post-tests were fully completed. Overall, 208/353 (58.9%) responses were correct pre-test and 221/313 (70.6%) post-test (p = 0.002). Comfort improved from 101 (56.8%) reporting strong agreement or agreement pre-test to 131 (83.4%) post-test. Median comfort scores improved from 4 (IQR 3-4) to 4 (IQR 4-5), p < 0.001. Respondents strongly agreed that the sessions were useful (median 5, IQR 5-5) and applicable to future practice (median 5, IQR 5-5). 118 respondents had paired pre- and post-tests, with significant improvement in knowledge (p = 0.004) and comfort (p < 0.0001). Attendees of our interprofessional education course demonstrated significant improvement in knowledge and comfort with the material. Similar educational efforts could be useful for a broader radiation oncology audience.

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