Learning from each other - the transition to IMRT (RTT)

1. Overview

This interactive session is a peer-learning forum for radiation oncology professionals to collaboratively address common and critical challenges encountered in clinical practice, particularly in resource-limited settings. It focuses on practical solutions across core areas like patient simulation, positioning, image matching, protocols, and managing high patient volumes. The discussion provides both quick technical workarounds and strategic process recommendations to enhance treatment efficiency and quality.

2. Key Learning Objectives

After this course, you will be able to:

• Develop effective workarounds for simulation and treatment planning when data is incomplete or equipment is limited.

• Evaluate and apply international resources, such as the EVQ website, to establish site-specific radiation oncology protocols.

• Implement strategies for accurate patient positioning and immobilization, including techniques for curved surfaces and managing devices like VAC-LOCs.

• Analyze the impact of patient preparation (e.g., bladder/rectal filling) on target coverage, especially in dose-critical treatments like prostate SBRT.

• Apply workflow and planning efficiencies, such as patient grouping, VMAT planning, and external setup systems, to significantly increase patient throughput.

• Improve team communication to quickly resolve discrepancies between simulation and treatment and ensure patient safety.
  
  

3. Why You Should Attend (The Benefits)

• Gain practical, peer-validated solutions to immediate technical and procedural challenges faced in resource-constrained clinics.

• Discover high-impact process changes and technology-based efficiencies to manage high patient volumes and reduce waiting lists.

• Acquire knowledge of best practices from established centers to improve patient safety, dose accuracy, and treatment quality.

• Understand the key factors that influence treatment prioritization and the criticality of patient setup for various cancer sites.
  
  

4. Topics Discussed

• Difficulties and solutions in patient Simulation.

• Developing standardized Radiation Therapy Protocols in new or resource-limited centers.

• Utilizing the EVQ Australian website for site-specific treatment guidance and procedure suggestions.

• Clinical rationale for Patient Prioritization (e.g., Head & Neck vs. Breast cancer).

• The use and impact of Contrast in CT Simulation on treatment planning.

• Practical techniques for positioning Bolus on curved anatomical structures (e.g., using gauze and Vaseline).

• Managing the integrity and deformation of Immobilization Devices (e.g., VAC-LOC).

• Using Flash in VMAT planning for difficult cases (e.g., vulvar) to ensure target coverage.

• Bladder and Rectal Preparation protocols for prostate treatments and the role of cone-beam CT (CBCT).

• Dose considerations for Daily CBCT in Pediatric Patients.

• Resolving issues in 4DCT (respiratory motion management and quality assurance).

• Strategies for maximizing Patient Throughput (e.g., patient grouping, external setup systems, 100% VMAT).

• Addressing the challenge of Machine Downtime and its repercussion on patient care.
  
  

5. Keywords

#Simulation, #Protocols, #Positioning, #Bolus, #Throughput, #VMAT, #CBCT, #4DCT, #Immobilization