Changing face-to-face to online radiation protection training: experiences of trainers and trainees.

The SCK CEN Academy for Nuclear Science and Technology functions as the umbrella structure coordinating the education and training activities of the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN). One of the main activities of the SCK CEN Academy is to provide customised training to professionals working in the nuclear industry, healthcare, research or governmental institutions. The courses and practical sessions are usually given in a face-to-face (FTF) format. This has drastically changed in the last 2 y because of the COVID-19 pandemic when it was necessary to switch course delivery from FTF to an online format. Feedback was collected from trainees and trainers in different training courses in radiation protection provided in FTF and online format. The analysis of this feedback allows training providers to make better-informed decisions on the best-suited training format depending on the content, target audience and the duration of the learning activity.

The young generation in radiation protection (IRPA YGN) in social media and online learning: 'Brave New World' or 'Online Nightmare'?

While online working seems to have become more common since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, social media has the potential to offer greater interactivity and networking capacities. Thus it seems relevant for the IRPA Young Generation Network to investigate the use of social media by members of the young generation in radiation protection (RP) through an online survey. It was also the opportunity to collect early feedback about on-line learning. The survey received 89 answers from 15 countries. The most commonly used social media platforms were first Facebook, then LinkedIn and Twitter, but other social media were reported. The respondents have a multi-objectives approach while on social media, using it for different purposes (chiefly for sharing news and RP related information/educational material) and different audiences (e.g. public, professional). Yet, they are making a very moderate use based on the frequencies of publication and consultation and the challenges they see in social media. The survey also collected the view of the young generation about their practical experience in learning in a virtual setting and its advantages and disadvantages vs. in-person learning. Most participants expressed mixed-feelings about on-line learning. The results show that the young generation can play a role in supporting the extra- and intra-communication activities of the RP community.

Implementation of acceptability criteria for dental radiology in Belgium.

The implementation of routine quality control (QC) tests in dental radiology in Belgium has been neglected for many years. In 2008, the (Belgian) Federal Agency for Nuclear Control determined acceptability criteria for X-ray equipment used for dentomaxillofacial imaging. An overview of the development of the criteria, together with implementation and the first results of dental QC in Belgium, is discussed.

Regulation of radiation protection of the patient: how and how much, the current Belgian situation.

Regulation of radiation protection has always been a cornerstone to protect the patient when exposed to ionising radiation. However, large differences exist between the implementation of international approved recommendations. Even when a well-established supra-national legislative format exists, further translation is always adapted to a suitable level of the medical sector in a country. Actual trends are given for the Belgian situation, where the legislation on radiation protection in medicine is currently under revision.