Gynecological brachytherapy hybrid training: The Tata Memorial Centre and BrachyAcademy experience

IF 1.7 4区医学 Q4 ONCOLOGY

Brachytherapy Pub Date : 2024-11-01 DOI:10.1016/j.brachy.2024.07.002

Elena Dizendorf , Supriya Chopra , Prachi Mittal , Ankita Gupta , Remi Nout , Alina Sturdza , Cyrus Chargari , Kari Tanderup , Ekkasit Tharavichitkul , Hamza Tatli , Meenakshi Jeeva , Jeevanshu Jain , Subhajit Panda , Ritu Raj Upreti , Yogesh Ghadi , Akshay Bhavke , Satish Kohle , Rajesh Bhajbhuje , Jai Prakash Agarwal

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

PURPOSE

The lack of training is a significant barrier to practicing brachytherapy (BT). Tata Memorial Centre, alongside international BT experts and BrachyAcademy, developed a hybrid gynecological BT training module. This study outlines the preparation, organization, and execution of the 2022–2023 Mumbai training, evaluates its effectiveness, and highlights areas for improvement.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Participants were radiation oncologists (RO) and medical physicists (MP) with experience in gynecological BT aiming to transition to image-guided brachytherapy (IGBT). The training covered cervical, endometrial, vaginal, vulvar, periurethral cancers, and pelvic reirradiation. The hybrid course included online pre and postcourse homework assignments, a live workshop with hands-on training, a 6-month online follow-up, and a 12-month opportunity to share the transition experience.

RESULTS

The December 2022 Mumbai live workshop spanned 2.5 days, attracting 39 participants from 8 countries (Asia, Africa, Australia/Oceania). Feedback rated the course 9/10, with 78% fully meeting expectations. Forty-four percent suggested extending hands-on training. At the 6-month follow-up, response rates were low (33% RO, 11% MP). Among responding RO, 70% reported practice changes after attending the course, 40% implemented IGBT concepts in clinical practice, and 50% increased confidence in image-guided procedures. Overall, 45% of respondent sites could strengthen their intracavitary/interstitial program, while others faced limitations due to lack of access to advanced BT applicators.

CONCLUSION

The hybrid gynecological BT training concept was successfully executed. Areas for improvement include extending hands-on training and enhancing participant engagement postcourse. Structured steps beyond training may be needed to improve the utilization of advanced brachytherapy for gynecological cancers.

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妇科近距离治疗混合培训：塔塔纪念中心和 BrachyAcademy 的经验。

目的：缺乏培训是从事近距离放射治疗（BT）的一大障碍。塔塔纪念中心与国际近距离放射治疗专家和BrachyAcademy共同开发了妇科近距离放射治疗混合培训模块。本研究概述了 2022-2023 年孟买培训的筹备、组织和实施情况，评估了培训效果，并强调了需要改进的地方：参加培训的人员是放射肿瘤学家（RO）和医学物理学家（MP），他们在妇科近距离放射治疗（BT）方面具有丰富的经验，目标是过渡到图像引导近距离放射治疗（IGBT）。培训内容包括宫颈癌、子宫内膜癌、阴道癌、外阴癌、尿道周围癌和盆腔再放射。混合课程包括在线课前和课后作业、现场研讨会与实践培训、为期6个月的在线随访以及为期12个月的分享过渡经验的机会：2022 年 12 月在孟买举办的现场研讨会为期 2.5 天，吸引了来自 8 个国家（亚洲、非洲、澳大利亚/大洋洲）的 39 名学员参加。反馈意见对课程的评分为 9/10，78% 完全符合预期。44%的学员建议延长实践培训时间。在 6 个月的跟踪调查中，答复率较低（33% 的区域办事处，11% 的 MP）。在答复的区域办事处中，70% 的办事处表示在参加课程后改变了做法，40% 的办事处在临床实践中实施了 IGBT 概念，50% 的办事处增强了对图像引导程序的信心。总体而言，45%的受访医疗机构可以加强其腔内/间质治疗项目，而其他医疗机构则因无法获得先进的 BT 应用器械而面临限制：结论：混合妇科 BT 培训概念已成功实施。需要改进的方面包括扩大实践培训和加强学员课后参与。除了培训之外，可能还需要采取结构化措施，以提高先进近距离放射治疗妇科癌症的利用率。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Brachytherapy 医学-核医学

CiteScore

3.40

自引率

21.10%

发文量

119

审稿时长

9.1 weeks

期刊介绍： Brachytherapy is an international and multidisciplinary journal that publishes original peer-reviewed articles and selected reviews on the techniques and clinical applications of interstitial and intracavitary radiation in the management of cancers. Laboratory and experimental research relevant to clinical practice is also included. Related disciplines include medical physics, medical oncology, and radiation oncology and radiology. Brachytherapy publishes technical advances, original articles, reviews, and point/counterpoint on controversial issues. Original articles that address any aspect of brachytherapy are invited. Letters to the Editor-in-Chief are encouraged.