scholarly journals Radiation physics, biophysics, and radiation biology

1990 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Hall ◽  
M Zaider
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Biology ◽  
Radiation Physics

scholarly journals Radiation Sciences Education in Africa: An Assessment of Current Training Practices and Evaluation of a High-Yield Course in Radiation Biology and Radiation Physics

2020 ◽  
pp. 1631-1638
Author(s):  
Shane R. Stecklein ◽  
Cullen M. Taniguchi ◽  
Adam D. Melancon ◽  
Dorothy Lombe ◽  
Kennedy Lishimpi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Formal Education ◽  
Radiation Biology ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Radiation Physics ◽  
Assessment Scores ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Current State ◽  
Effective Delivery ◽  
Educational Course ◽  
Education In Africa

PURPOSE Formal education in the radiation sciences is critical for the safe and effective delivery of radiotherapy. Practices and patterns of radiation sciences education and trainee performance in the radiation sciences are poorly described. This study assesses the current state of radiation sciences education in Africa and evaluates a high-yield, on-site educational program in radiation biology and radiation physics for oncology and radiation therapy trainees in Africa. METHODS An anonymous survey was distributed to members of the African Organization for Research and Treatment in Cancer Training Interest Group to assess current attitudes and practices toward radiation sciences education. A 2-week, on-site educational course in radiation biology and radiation physics was conducted at the Cancer Diseases Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. Pre- and postcourse assessments in both disciplines were administered to gauge the effectiveness of an intensive high-yield course in the radiation sciences. RESULTS Significant deficiencies were identified in radiation sciences education, especially in radiation biology. Lack of expert instructors in radiation biology was reported by half of all respondents and was the major contributing factor to deficient education in the radiation sciences. The educational course resulted in marked improvements in radiation biology assessment scores (median pre- and posttest scores, 27% and 55%, respectively; P < .0001) and radiation physics assessment scores (median pre- and posttest scores, 30% and 57.5%, respectively; P < .0001). CONCLUSION Radiation sciences education in African oncology training programs is inadequate. International collaboration between expert radiation biology and radiation physics instructors can address this educational deficiency and improve trainee competence in the foundational radiation sciences that is critical for the safe and effective delivery of radiotherapy.

scholarly journals A pilot course of intensive training in radiation biology and physics for oncologists in sub-Saharan Africa.

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (suppl) ◽  
pp. 24-24
Author(s):  
Cullen M. Taniguchi ◽  
Anuja Jhingran ◽  
Shane Richard Stecklein ◽  
Adam Melancon ◽  
Laurence Court ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Physics ◽  
Multiple Choice ◽  
The United States ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Radiation Biology ◽  
Multiple Choice Questions ◽  
Radiation Physics ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Low And Middle Income

24 Background: Radiation therapy is an essential component of cancer care used for palliative and curative treatments access a wide spectrum of disease, but many low- and middle-income countries do not have equitable access to this technology or training in the radiation sciences. Towards this end, we launched a pilot program to teach the principles of radiation biology and radiation physics that are a basic component of training and credentialing of radiation oncologists in the United States. Methods: We designed a 5 days curriculum for radiation biology and radiation physics that were similar in depth and scope to the courses taught to residents at MD Anderson. Medical oncologists, medical students and radiation therapists from Zambia, Tanzania, Lesotho, as well as Papua New Guinea attended the course. All have experience with direct patient care in oncology, but no formal training in radiation biology or physics. A pre-test of 50 multiple choice questions for radiation biology and 40 multiple choice questions for radiation physics was administered to all students prior any instruction on the first day of the course, and the same test was given on the last day. Each question stem had 4 possible choices. Instructions consisted of lectures and problems sets with an emphasis on practical applications of radiation biology and physics. Results: The students (N = 22) scored a mean of 30.6±13.5% correct on the radiation biology pre-test and this improved to a mean of 57.7±13.1% after 5 days of instruction (P < 0.0001). Similarly, the students who took the medical physics exam (N = 22) had a mean 33.0±8.8% correct at baseline, which improved to 61.7±18.1% on the post-test (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Despite almost no prior exposure to these complicated concepts, students exhibited nearly a two-fold increase in scores on a standardized test of radiation biology and medical physics. This pilot study demonstrates a proof-of-concept that this material can be taught effectively in a short time frame. Further refinement of this material may allow similar in-person intensive courses, teleconferencing, or archived videos to improve the education of radiation therapists in low- and middle-income countries.

scholarly journals Radiation physics, biophysics, and radiation biology

1989 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Hall ◽  
M. Zaider ◽  
M. Delegianis
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Biology ◽  
Radiation Physics
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