Radiotherapy Dosimetry and Planning

Please note that if you apply for this module, it may be necessary to process your registration under module code 7HSK2129. This will not affect the content studied nor the assessment methods, it is purely for our administrative

Course aim:

This module aims to enhance your understanding of the principles of radiotherapy dosimetry and radiobiological factors affecting dose distribution.
This module will be run through a range of weekly lectures. The lectures will provide you with the basic knowledge and understanding of radiotherapy planning and the principles and regulations which govern planning practices. You will also learn to appreciate how radiobiology principals affect the choices we make with regards to plan choice, dose fractionation and how we know if a plan is clinically acceptable.

Using an inquiry−based approach, students will gather a wide range of evidence and information in order to thoroughly explore the module topics. Through critical evaluation and analysis of the evidence base they will consolidate their knowledge and understanding of radiotherapy planning and dosimetry and the radiobiological concepts that inform dose prescription. Formative feedback and assessment embraces assessment activities so that students have the opportunity to develop the necessary skills for successful achievement. 

Course content includes:
•    Review of imaging anatomy
•    Evidence supporting current radiotherapy techniques
•    Terms used in radiotherapy planning
•    Principles of radiotherapy planning including those related to IMRT and adaptive planning techniques and other areas of Radiotherapy
•    Factors that affect isodose distribution  and beam application for a variety of common treatment sites
•    Methods of evaluating radiotherapy plans
•    Use of evidence base to support plan evaluation and dose prescription
•    Radiobiological concepts related to radiotherapy planning, such as cell survival curves, response to radiation, OER, LET, radiation effects, fractionation, 5R's of radiobiology and future clinical applications

This course is facilitated by Ruth Rowse, who guides you through your learner journey, using on-line activities and tasks to support your learning.

Learning Outcomes Knowledge and understanding:
Successful students will typically...

• Critically appraise the dosimetric principles and evidence underpinning radiotherapy planning theories and techniques. 

Learning Outcomes: Skills and Attributes
Successful students will typically...

• Make informed judgements on the appropriateness of images used in localisation and planning to evidence clinical treatment decisions.
• Apply effective critical evaluation on a range of radiotherapy plans and dose prescriptions, considering anatomy, radiobiological concepts and dosimetric principles presented with reference to the appropriate evidence-base.

Assessment:

Typically a 3000-word critical appraisal of a of a treatment plan.

What our students say:

“The resources are great, and I have really improved my understanding of planning”