Investigating New Zealand radiation therapy student perceptions about their degree curriculum.

BACKGROUND: Radiation Therapists (RTs) are a key professional grouping in the delivery of health services for cancer patients. The education of RTs in New Zealand has evolved in response to regulatory and clinical workforce requirements. To date, it has lacked a fundamental underpinning of educational theory. Stakeholders, including students, were canvassed for their perspectives on the drivers behind the current curriculum with a view to developing theory which could shape future curricular development. METHODS: A focus group was conducted with eight student RTs enrolled at the time of the study. A process driven by Constructivist Grounded Theory principles was adopted for the analysis of the resulting data. RESULTS: Four themes were established to represent the data: "Being" is prized over "doing", Change is inevitable, A framework for Professional Identity formation and Modelling is key to learning. CONCLUSIONS: There is utility in exploring the student perspective around curriculum. The data suggest that students on this programme are engaged with the process of preparing for practice and the connected learning experiences. There is a focus on the patient and the personal values and qualities which result from that focus. While specialist knowledge and technical skills are required for delivering patient care, it is fully expected those aspects of the clinical role will significantly change over time. Even at this early stage in their careers, students recognise the development and need for professional identity formation. Role models are perceived to be a vital part of student learning, be they positive or negative. Scrutiny of the study findings provides reason to question some assumptions which are sometimes made about student practitioners based on factors such as age and gender and the assumed universal ability of practitioners to teach the next generation. The perspectives gained inform the next stage of data collection from this group and theory building that will be reported outside the confines of this article.

What do radiation therapists know about health literacy and the strategies to improve it for patients? A qualitative study.

PURPOSE: Low health literacy leads to poor knowledge and understanding of health information, delayed diagnosis, lower use of preventative medicines/health services, increased likelihood of hospitalisation, and increased patient anxiety. Effective communication facilitates patient understanding and helps patients to manage the adverse side-effects associated with treatment. It is not yet known whether radiation therapists in Ireland tailor their communication to match a patient's health literacy level. The purpose of this research was to investigate radiation therapists' knowledge and awareness of health literacy and perceptions of their role in supporting patients with low health literacy. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with sixteen radiation therapists working in four radiotherapy departments in Ireland. Data were analysed using the framework approach. RESULTS: Through discussions with participants, it was apparent that radiation therapists had limited knowledge of the concept of health literacy. Common themes arose from the interviews with four key themes identified: 1. Strategies used to identify patients' health literacy 2. Perceived effect of low health literacy 3. Obstacles faced when addressing low health literacy 4. Recommendations to support lower health literacy groups CONCLUSION: Currently, radiation therapists show some knowledge and awareness of health literacy, but an increased awareness of the prevalence of low health literacy and a structured approach to supporting patients would allow radiation therapists to more effectively communicate with patients, thus improving their treatment experience and reducing the risk of adverse outcomes.

Burnout in radiation therapists: Systematic review with meta-analysis.

The main aim of this review is to evaluate the burnout levels experienced by radiation therapists. PubMed, Lilacs and Google Scholar were searched for articles reporting burnout levels in radiation therapists. Only studies explicitly assessing burnout and using a validated instrument were retrieved. Meta-analyses were undertaken, based on articles that used the Maslach Burnout Inventory to assess burnout, to determine 95% confidence intervals for the overall prevalence of radiation therapists with high burnout risk in three dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation or low personal accomplishment. Additionally, meta-analyses were also performed to determine the overall mean reported for each of the three dimensions. A total of eleven studies were found to be eligible for inclusion in this systematic review, nine of which used the Maslach Burnout Inventory questionnaire. The 95% confidence intervals for radiation therapists with high emotional exhaustion scores, high depersonalisation scores and low personal accomplishment scores were [24.8; 54.6], [10.1; 40.2] and [17.4; 41.6] respectively. The 95% confidence intervals for the corresponding means were found to be [20.0; 26.2], [5.1; 8.8] and [35.9, 39.6] respectively. The meta-analysis revealed an arguably high prevalence of burnout in radiation therapists in spite of it varying substantially between studies.

Using Online Meeting Software to Facilitate Geographically Dispersed Focus Groups for Health Workforce Research.

Focus groups as a data collection method in qualitative research have been used for several decades with great effect. Recent developments in online mechanisms for communication have prompted several researchers to explore alternate means of facilitating focus group participation. However, much of the online focus group literature has explored the use of text-based communication; there are few reports on the application of real-time online video-enabled software. In this article, we seek to inform the growing use of online-meeting software-mediated focus groups by reporting and analyzing its application within the context of a health workforce study among geographically dispersed radiation therapy professionals.

Time, space and technology in radiotherapy departments: how do these factors impact on patients' experiences of radiotherapy?

Radiation therapists (RTs) plan and deliver radiotherapy treatment for patients diagnosed with cancer. They need to communicate regularly with their patients and may have a role to play in reducing patient anxiety and distress. The objectives were to explore how the environment of radiotherapy departments supports or inhibits communication generally and information giving and supportive care provision in particular. An ethnographic approach was used to gather rich descriptive data through observations and interviews conducted in two Australian radiotherapy centres. Time, space and a technology driven culture was found to negatively affect the quality of interaction that occurred between RTs and their patients. This research has shown design/modification of spaces is needed in the radiotherapy environment to reflect a patient care centred culture and to enhance opportunities for RTs to provide supportive care for their patients.

Evaluation of RTT education - Is it fit for the present: A report on the ESTRO radiation therapist workshop.

Education is key in preparing healthcare professionals for the current and future needs of the clinical environment. Hence, ESTRO facilitated a workshop, with a track focusing on radiation therapists' (RTT) education and whether it is fit for the current demands of RTTs. An international group of participants with academic and clinical backgrounds discussed the current situation in their respective working environments, evaluated the challenges in RTT education, and highlighted opportunities and possible solutions to meet current and future needs. Key outcomes highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration between clinical and academic staff.

The Radiation Therapist profession through the lens of new technology: A practice development paper based on the ESTRO Radiation Therapist Workshops.

Technological advances in radiation therapy impact on the role and scope of practice of the radiation therapist. The European Society of Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) recently held two workshops on this topic and this position paper reflects the outcome of this workshop, which included radiation therapists from all global regions. Workflows, quality assurance, research, IGRT and ART as well as clinical decision making are the areas of radiation therapist practice that will be highly influenced by advancing technology in the near future. This position paper captures the opportunities that this will bring to the radiation therapist profession, to the practice of radiation therapy and ultimately to patient care.

RTT advanced practice and how it can change the future of radiotherapy.

The radiation therapy (RT) landscape is continuously evolving, necessitating adaptation in roles and responsibilities of radiation therapists (RTTs). Advanced Practice Radiation Therapists (APRTs) have taken on a proactive role in expanding services and assuming responsibilities within multi-professional teams. A European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) brought geographically diverse and experienced RTTs together, to discuss how advanced practice (AP) in the RTT profession should be future-proofed and create a global platform for collaboration. Challenges in achieving consensus and standardisation of APRT was identified across jurisdictions, emphasising the importance of international collaboration. Whilst highlighting the pivotal role of APRTs in driving innovation, improving patient care, and navigating the complexities of modern RT practice, this position paper presents outcomes and recommendations from the workshop. Discussions highlighted the need for standardised role definitions, education frameworks, regulatory support, and career development pathways to enable the advancement of APRT effectively. Increasing networks and collaboration is recommended to ensure APRTs can shape the future of RT.

Empowering radiation therapists: The role of an African Community of Practice in developing radiation Therapist education curriculum.

Objectives: Supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the African Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training (AFRA) invited African Member States (MS) with a radiation therapy facility to engage in a 3-day workshop to develop a robust road map for educational standards in radiation therapist (RTT) training. The aim of the paper was to make recommendations of how the African MS could drive forward high educational standards in RTT training and education in Africa. Methods: A pre-workshop survey was developed and sent to the participants to gather background information on each MS's national RTT training standards. An online survey was sent to all African MS with a radiation therapy facility. Two international RTT education-training experts were tasked by the IAEA to support and facilitate the workshop, which consisted of presentations and discussions around the current RTT training schemes in African MS and aspects of modern training methodology. The agenda of the workshop was structured with the aim to simulate discussions on RTT education and training standards among participants from African MS. Results: Sixteen African MS completed the pre-workshop survey. The median number of radiotherapy centres within a MS was 3 (range 1--15). All MS provided two-dimensional radiation therapy services as a minimum while 75 % (12/16) MS could offer three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy service. Thirty-eight percent (6/16) reported that they had no radiation therapy machine service maintenance contracts with vendors and 56 % (9/16) MS had no biomedical engineers on site for unplanned and planned machine maintenance. The median number of RTTs at national level among MS was 23 (range 7-73). Fifty-six percent (9/16) MS had a RTT specific national training programme with 75 % (12/16) MS having clinical attachments for 6 months or more. Representatives from 12 African MS attended the AFRA workshop. An African Community of Practice (CoP) in developing Education Curriculum for RTT was established as an outcome of the workshop with the aim to facilitate knowledge exchange and drive quality initiatives among participating African MS. Four work streams were proposed to form the CoP: RTT academic qualifications, core competencies in RTT education and training, RTT education faculty composition and peer review process in RTT education curricula among African MS. Conclusion: By fostering collaboration, sharing knowledge, and advocating for improved policies, the African COP in developing Education Curriculum for RTT can make significant strides toward developing a RTT education curriculum that not only meets the unique challenges of the African continent but also aligns with global standards.

Advanced practice in radiotherapy across Europe: stakeholders' perceptions of implementation and evolution.

INTRODUCTION: Adapting radiotherapy services with workforce innovation using skills-mix or task-shifting optimises resources, supporting current and future demands. Advanced practitioners (APs) work at a different level of practice (beyond initial registration) across four pillars: clinical practice, leadership and management, education, and research. There is limited cross-country research on the advanced therapeutic radiographers/radiation therapists (TR/RTTs), particularly in Europe. This study aimed to investigate European radiotherapy stakeholders' perceptions regarding current and future advanced practice (AP). METHODS: From June to September 2022, one-to-one online semi-structured interviews were conducted in English, and audio and video were recorded. Full verbatim audio files were independently transcribed and checked by interviewer and interviewees. Braun and Clarke's seven steps guided the thematic analysis (using NVivo). RESULTS: Thirty-three interviewees working or studying in 16 European countries represented practitioners (n=14), managers (n=6), educators (n=4), professional bodies (n=4), students (n=3), and regulators (n=2). Four overarching themes emerged: "AP drivers and outcomes", "AP challenges vs enablers", "Current vs future AP", "Becoming and being advanced practitioner". Participants identified research as the neglected AP pillar due to a lack of protected time, limited staff skills, no research culture, no funding, workload, and clinical priorities. Interviewees highlighted the importance of consistency in job titles, harmonisation of education models and curricula, definition of AP requirements, and support for all AP pillars through job plans and workforce planning. CONCLUSION: Neither the profession nor education of TR/RTTs are harmonised across Europe, which is highly reflected in advanced-level practice. Advanced TR/RTTs should work across all pillars, including research, and these should be embedded in master's programmes, including leadership. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This study highlights a policy gap in the education and practice of APs in radiotherapy.

Committee of the new positions of the Société française de radiothérapie oncologique: Toward an advanced practice master in radiotherapy.

In 2022, the radiation therapist committee of the Association française du personnel paramédical d'electroradiologie médicale (AFPPE, French association of paramedical electroradiology technicians), the Société française de radiothérapie oncologique (SFRO, French society of radiation oncology) and the Syndicat national des radiothérapeutes oncologue (SNRO, national syndicate of radiation oncologists) have been committed to working on the development of advanced practice roles. The objective of this article is to report the activities that should be in the scope of radiation therapists advanced practice and describe the competences required for these activities. This work was carried out by six radiation therapists, six radiation oncologists and one medical physicist representatives of the French national societies for each professional group. First, a basic list of activities was established and then competences were identified for groups of activities. In total, the list includes five core competences, nine competences and nine groups of activities that can be divided into the four pillars of advanced practice. The nine groups of activities can be presented in seven different dimensions including patient care and support, treatment planning, treatment imaging and delivery, management and consultancy, quality and risk management, research and innovation, education and training. The French advanced practice competences framework was developed with a multidisciplinary group to move forward the project of a master degree in advanced practice in radiation therapy in France.

BC cancer radiation therapists' perspective on the impact of COVID-19 precautions in clinical practice.

INTRODUCTION: There were many policy and procedure (P&P) changes implemented in health care facilities to combat the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Common changes included an increase in personal protective equipment usage, room occupancy limits, limitations in visitors/family members and the absence of volunteers. This study evaluated the current views and opinions of Radiation Therapists (RTs) in British Columbia relating to how COVID-19 P&P changes have impacted their clinical practice. The goal was to identify gaps in the areas of RT practice, allow for self-reflection among RTs and potentially guide future P&Ps with patient-centred care at the forefront. METHODS: A 24-item cross-sectional questionnaire was created and sent via e-mail to all RTs working across the province. Key sections explored in the questionnaire were: 1) patient care delivery, 2) staff-work environment, and 3) work satisfaction. Descriptive analysis was performed on the questionnaire responses. RESULTS: Of the approximate 300 invited participants, 107 responses were received from all areas of Radiation Therapy (Treatment units, CT simulation, Dosimetry, etc.) and from all cancer centres in the province. RT staff indicated that COVID-19 P&P negatively impacted patient care, including the ability to verbally and non-verbally communicate with patients (82 %), assess for side effects (85 %), and build rapport (62 %). A majority (79 %) of RT staff felt that communication with co-workers had been negatively impacted as well. When queried regarding the impact on staff environment, 51 % of RT staff agreed that the absence of volunteers increased their workload and the responses were polarized (46 % disagree, 35 % agree) when asked if RT staff have enough time for cleaning their clinical areas with new COVID-19 P&Ps in place. 78 % of RTs were aware of where to go with COVID-19 safety concerns and thought they received adequate education concerning COVID P&Ps. When asked to rank the factors that most impacted RT practice, RTs identified increased PPE usage (83 %), absence of volunteers (74 %), and room occupancy limits (70 %) as the leading P&P changes that negatively impacted their practice; while plexiglass barriers (39 %), re-arranged workspaces (37 %) and working remotely (12 %) were the least negatively impactful. CONCLUSION: The majority of RTs across BC Cancer responding to the questionnaire indicated that their ability to provide patient care and their staff-work environment were negatively impacted by implemented COVID-19 P&Ps. Views regarding COVID-19 P&P training/education was positive, yet there was no consensus regarding whether the changes were implemented smoothly. This study can facilitate reflection among both clinical leadership and RTs on how P&Ps can be implemented in the future and can encourage further retrospective analyses in aiding the development of P&Ps regarding future public health outbreaks.

Delineation of target volume by radiation therapists during online adaptive radiation therapy: What authorization?

The evolution of radiation therapy techniques goes hand in hand with the evolution of the profession of radiation therapist. In the particular context of online adaptive radiotherapy based on cone beam computed tomography images, delegation of certain tasks from the physician to the radiation therapist is possible within the framework of a cooperation protocol. This delegation requires prior theoretical and practical training. It enriches the practice of radiation therapists by allowing them to acquire new skills and greater autonomy. It foreshadows access for radiation therapists to advanced practice.

Advanced practice roles amongst therapeutic radiographers/radiation therapists: A European survey.

INTRODUCTION: Advanced Practice (AP) roles in Radiotherapy (RT) over time are variable, often locally developed and not underpinned by professional standards which leads to conceptual and practical gaps. This study aimed to assess AP roles amongst Therapeutic Radiographers/Radiation Therapists (TR/RTTs) and identify educational gaps for this level across Europe. METHODS: An anonymous online survey was designed, validated, and distributed across Europe. Convenience sampling was used to recruit advanced TR/RTTs practitioners or TR/RTTs working in AP roles. Descriptive analysis from closed questions and thematic analyses from open questions are reported. RESULTS: A total of 272 responses were obtained, of which 189 eligible participations were from 21 European countries. 42% of respondents acknowledged additional education required to perform AP, and 25% reported a minimum of five years of RT practice to perform AP roles/tasks. There is a trend to work more on the clinical practice domain with a low percentage of working time allocated to research. Inconsistency was found in job titles, scopes of practice, and educational backgrounds across and even within countries. Education needs regarding knowledge about image-guided and adaptive RT, multimodal imaging and technologies, and advanced treatment planning were found. Training needs on leadership and management skills and clinical site-specific expertise were identified. CONCLUSION: This study clearly shows a gap in education support, a need for standardisation in job titles and scopes of practice across Europe. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: As the first large-scale assessment of current AP roles and educational support amongst TR/RTTs across Europe, this study recommends the establishment of governance structure and role regulation. It also informs the curricula for master programmes to align the education with current and future practice.

Patients' perspectives of the skills and competencies of therapy radiographers/radiation therapists (TRs/RTTs) in the UK, Portugal and Malta; a qualitative study from the SAFE Europe project.

INTRODUCTION: The role of the Therapy Radiographer/Radiation Therapist (TR/RTT) is to provide radiotherapy to patients with a cancer diagnosis. This includes, not only administration of treatment, but also management of side-effects and provision of support/care. Despite this role being consistent throughout Europe, there is currently no standardisation of education for TRs/RTTs. The SAFE EUROPE project aims to standardize TR/RTT education to enable 'safe and free exchange' of TRs/RTTs across Europe. Consequently, this study aims to explore patients' perspectives regarding the current skills and competencies of TRs/RTTs. METHODS: From May 2021 to February 2022, semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients who had recently received radiotherapy in the UK, Malta and Portugal. Ethical approval for this study was granted by the NHS Research Ethics Committee with additional local approvals obtained. RESULTS: Forty-eight participants from the UK (n = 18), Portugal (n = 19), and Malta (n = 11) completed interviews. Participants described high satisfaction with TRs'/RTTs' competence and skills in all three countries. The main theme arising from the analysis was the importance of trust building with TRs/RTTs. Six factors were identified as influencing levels of trust: communication; side-effect management; team consistency; relational skills; patient dignity; and competence. A small number of patients reported feeling rushed and not having their physical and emotional needs met by TRs/RTTs. CONCLUSION: This multicentre study demonstrated that patients perceive TRs/RTTs in the UK, Malta and Portugal as highly competent and skilled. Practical recommendations are provided to address identified deficits in practice, which can be addressed through adaptation of TR/RTT education/training and clinical practice. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Recommendations arising from this study are important to ensure that TRs/RTTs have transferable skills that provide consistently high quality care to patients throughout Europe.

Identifying radiation therapists' perceptions of potentially triggering aspects of care for survivors of sexual violence undergoing radiotherapy.

INTRODUCTION: Research shows that for survivors of sexual violence (SV), cancer procedures can be retraumatizing due to perceived similarities to the original SV. To date, there is no training program designed specifically for the radiation therapist (RTT) on how to deliver care sensitively to survivors of SV. A key component of sensitive practice is working with patients to identify and develop strategies to manage situations that could be triggering. The goal of this study was to understand the RTT recognition of potential sensory/environmental, relational, and mixed triggers in radiation oncology settings. METHODS: This quantitative research study conducted a secondary analysis on RTT responses to a learning activity from an online cancer education training program. The first section of the activity asked trainees to identify two potential triggers in a brachytherapy video, and the second portion of the activity asked trainees to describe two potential triggers in their own work. RESULTS: Descriptive statistics, χ2 tests, and t tests were used to analyze 50 RTT responses. RTTs tended to identify different types of triggers depending on the question (brachytherapy video vs. self-reflection). Data indicated that despite a lack of formal didactic training in trigger management, RTTs could identify triggers, and were most likely to recognize "mixed" type triggers. DISCUSSION: Triggers identified are consistent with past research on childhood sexual abuse survivors' healthcare retraumatization in obstetrics and gynecology, and cancer care. As in past research, invasive techniques, and situations where the patient was in a submissive position were identified as triggering aspects of care. It is interesting to note when reflecting on their own practice, the least identified triggers all fell under the environmental/sensory trigger category. RTTs may not fully appreciate a variety of potential triggers such as sounds of treatment or silence because they are outside of the room administering the beam when the machine is delivering treatment. Thus, they may not hear certain sounds or silence during their daily routine. CONCLUSIONS: Relatively few trainees identified sensory/ environmental triggers (e.g., restricted visibility and sounds of treatment, including silence) when reflecting on their own practice, which could potentially reduce their likelihood of helping patients minimize the impact of (or avoid) such triggers. Future research should identify a comprehensive list of triggers and then develop a training specific to the RTT focused on identifying environmental/sensory triggers from the perspective of the patient in the often unfamiliar and frightening radiotherapy suite.

Triage for palliative radiotherapy by clinical specialist radiation therapists: A scoping review.

Patients who could benefit from palliative radiotherapy (PRT) may be in different phases of the cancer journey: they may have minimal symptoms and preserved functional status, or could be near end of life, with multiple complex care needs. Efficient triage at PRT referral is crucial to match patients with an appropriate provider and care setting as quickly as possible. Many centres have a dedicated PRT clinic, for which triage occurs by a Palliative Clinical Specialist Radiation Therapist (PCSRT). We performed an English-language literature search of 15 databases, without date limits, based on the PICO framework. After independent screening of titles and abstracts by two authors, relevant full text papers were reviewed. Twenty studies (15 publications and five abstracts) and one government report met inclusion criteria. Studies were published over a 21-year period by investigators from four countries. By identifying bottlenecks, screening out inappropriate referrals, and assessing patients in advance of consult, PSCRT triage decreased wait times by approximately 50%, on average, compared to standard pathways (range 30-82%). Increasing efficiency by pre-booking and coordinating appointments increases patient volumes and optimizes use of resources. A triage PCSRT serving a navigator role improves continuity of care, and in decreasing the number of handoffs, safety as well. Shifting triage to a PCSRT allows multidisciplinary team members to work to their maximum scope. In one clinic, after incorporation of PCSRT triage, use of on-call services decreased, as more patients were seen during daytime appointments, contributing to cost-savings.

An evaluation of knowledge of circular economy among Therapeutic Radiographers/Radiation Therapists (TR/RTTs): Results of a European survey to inform curriculum design.

INTRODUCTION: Global warming and the increase in greenhouse gases are a current concern worldwide. The healthcare sector constitutes about 4.4% of all emissions. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge, awareness and attitudes of Therapeutic Radiographers/Radiation Therapists (TR/RTTs) regarding environment-related concepts to inform the development of educational curriculum. METHODS: A validated self-designed survey was distributed to TR/RTTs across Europe by the SAFE EUROPE partners and via social media between October 2021 and February 2022. The survey was divided into six sections: (i) demographics, (ii) knowledge of Circular Economy (CE) and Green Skills (GS), (iii) personal attitudes, (iv) TR/RTTs attitudes, (v) the importance of CE, and (vi) education. Questions consisted of mostly Likert scales complemented with other closed- and open-ended questions. RESULTS: 31%-42% of participants are aware of national and departmental policies in CE and GS concepts. Even though half of the participants considered that they advocate and practice CE, the open questions indicated that participants only focus on waste management, ignoring all the other dimensions of CE in healthcare. Personal attitudes and lifestyles also did not reflect CE. TR/RTTs considered CE practices and GS development essential. However, the suggested academic level at which these skills should be developed was split between High School (44%) and Bachelor's degree (32%). CONCLUSION: It is essential to raise awareness among TR/RTTs about the various dimensions of CE applied to healthcare: "green transportation", "environment-friendly procurement", "hospital building design", "food process optimisation", "water reduction", "energy efficiency", and "waste management". IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: These GS must be developed by TR/RTTs to decrease their impact on the environment. Their training may need to be lifelong, starting during basic high school education and continuing as healthcare professionals after graduation.

Patient engagement with radiation therapists: Patient perspectives, challenges, and opportunities. A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Radiotherapy is a major component of cancer care and treatment is delivered almost exclusively by therapeutic radiographers/radiation therapists (RTTs). Numerous government and professional guidance publications have recommended a person-centred approach to healthcare through communication and collaboration between professionals, agencies, and users. With approximately half of patients undergoing radical radiotherapy experiencing some degree of anxiety and distress, RTTs are uniquely placed as frontline cancer professionals to engage with patients regarding their experience. This review seeks to map the available evidence of patient reported views of their experience of being treated by RTTs and any impact, this treatment had on the patient's frame of mind or perception of treatment. METHODS: In line with the principles of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) systematic review methodology, a review of relevant literature was conducted. Electronic databases MEDLINE, PROQUEST, EMBASE and CINAHL were searched. RESULTS: Nine hundred and eighty-eight articles were identified. Twelve papers were included in the final review. CONCLUSION: Increased time with, and continuity of RTTs during treatment has a positive influence on patients' perspectives of RTTs. A positive patient perspective of their engagement with RTTs can be a strong predictor of overall satisfaction in radiotherapy. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: RTTs should not underestimate the impact of their supportive role in guiding patients through treatment. A standardised method for integrating patients' experience and engagement with RTTs is lacking. Further RTT led research is required in this area.

[Radiation therapists shortage in France: Organizational consequences and difficulties in deploying new missions and/or tasks delegation]. / Métier de manipulateur en radiothérapie en tension en France : conséquences organisationnelles et difficultés à déployer de nouvelles missions et/ou délégation de tâches.

PURPOSE: Radiation therapists shortage has been evaluated at national level in France, specifically in oncology radiotherapy, in terms of: (i) organizational adaptations, (ii) impact on patients care, and (iii) difficulties in deploying new missions and/or tasks delegation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: French professional organisations representing radiation therapists - SFRO, SNRO and AFPPE - sent their members a national survey (ten questions on 32 items). RESULTS: From 18 November 2022 to 31 December 2022, 55 responses were received (response rate: 31%) from radiotherapy managers or department heads; 51% had a structure comprising three to five treatment rooms (receiving 500 to 1000 patients per year [36%], or 1500 to 2000 patients per year [33%]). Activities performed were intensity-modulated radiotherapy (100%), stereotaxic radiotherapy (85%), brachytherapy (40%), adaptive radiotherapy (34%). These structures described consequences in closing machine time for 25% of them (reduction of the hourly volume greater than 10% in 57%) with the following consequences in the last 6 months: (i) an extension of the period of medical care (78%), a closing of one or more accelerators (50%) and the development of moderate hypofractionation scheme or extreme hypofractionation (50%). In current functioning, linear accelerators can deliver treatments with a team of two radiation therapists per room for a short day (43%) or two to four radiation therapists per room teams for a long day (40%). During the last 6 months, there has been a 10% increase in linear accelerators operating with a single team. (ii) regarding treatment planning: 16.4% reported a decrease in the opening amplitude (less than 20% in 44% of cases, from 20 to 50% in 33 % of cases). The initial scheduling of appointments for radiotherapy sessions was carried out by radiation therapists in 84% of the departments in current functioning (0.1 to 1 FTE dedicated to this activity in 62% of the departments). Over the last 6 months, there has been a clear reduction in the number of dedicated FTEs: [FTE=0.1 to 1]=-8%; [FTE=0]=+7%. (ii) Regarding tasks delegation (excluding the decree on acts and activities carried out by the radiation therapist): organ at risk delineation is partially performed by radiation therapist in 26% of the centres; caregiver support time in 78% (56% totally or 22% partially). This activity has been reduced by 42%. Seventy-five percent of departments want to develop new techniques, patient-centered approaches (44%), implement task delegation (organ at risk delineation: 58%; weekly consultations: 67%; positioning imaging validation: 71%), and 78% of departments are interested in developing advanced radiotherapy practice. However, the number of radiation therapists is considered insufficient in their implementation in 76% of cases (one to two FTE missing for 72% of structures). CONCLUSION: This survey shows a significant impact of radiation therapist shortage in radiotherapy oncology care (treatment delays, access to caregiver support time, workload on treatment teams), and represents a major obstacle to the development of radiotherapy structures.