Training activity information
Details
Perform routine CT quality assurance
Type
Entrustable training activity (ETA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee repeatedly, consistently, and effectively over time, in a range of situations. This may include occasions where the trainee has not successfully achieved the outcome of the activity themselves. For example, because it was not appropriate to undertake the task in the circumstances or the trainees recognised their own limitations and sought help or advice to ensure the activity reached an appropriate conclusion.
Reflection at multiple timepoints on the trainee learning journey for this activity.
Considerations
- Clinical consequences and impact
- Origin settings and laser alignment
- Data transfer to treatment planning system
Reflective practice guidance
The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.
Before action
- What does success look like for performing routine CT quality assurance? What are the specific expectations for CT QA, including acceptable tolerances and reporting requirements? How will you confirm that the CT imaging equipment is performing optimally for pre-treatment imaging?
- What is your prior experience with CT quality assurance? What existing knowledge do you have regarding CT imaging principles, QA phantoms, and data analysis? What challenges might you face (e.g., artifacts, unexpected image quality issues), and how will you approach troubleshooting? At what point would you need to seek assistance from a senior colleague or expert? What are your initial feelings about undertaking this CT QA task?
- Which specific skills in CT image quality assessment, data interpretation, or problem-solving do you want to enhance? What insights do you hope to gain regarding the nuances of CT performance and its implications for treatment planning?
- What additional considerations do you need to make before performing this routine CT QA? Have you reviewed any feedback or identified actions from previous CT QA experiences that could inform your approach? What critical information, such as the CT QA protocol, relevant standards, or previous QA reports, should you review beforehand?
In action
- Make a note of anything that felt surprising or different from what you anticipated, such as:
- Image quality parameters (e.g., CT number accuracy, noise, uniformity, spatial resolution) falling outside acceptable limits.
- Problems with phantom positioning or detection by the CT scanner.
- Unexpected software errors or processing delays.
- Unusual dose readings during the QA scans.
- Consider how this specific experience compared with previous experiences of similar activities. Was this a known issue or a new challenge?
- How did you react to the unexpected development? Identify how this impacted upon your actions, for example:
- Did you respond appropriately e.g., did you re-run the specific test, recalibrate, or check physical connections?
- Did you adapt or change your approach to the CT QA procedure in real-time to isolate the problem?
- Did it affect your ability to undertake the activity independently e.g., did you consider the need to contact a service engineer or senior physicist?
- Did you find it difficult to adapt? Did you feel capable in troubleshooting the CT system?
- Did it affect your confidence in interpreting the CT QA results?
- Did you feel positive you could reach a successful conclusion, even if it meant escalation?
- Identify how you worked within your scope of practice to address the unexpected development. Did you identify if the issue rendered the CT unit clinically unusable? Identify what you learnt in the moment as a result of the unexpected development e.g., a critical step in CT QA, a common CT malfunction, or the sensitivity of a particular parameter.
On action
- Begin by summarising the key points of your experience performing routine CT quality assurance. Consider specific events, actions, or interactions which felt important during the CT QA process, including your own feelings at the time. Include any ‘reflect-in-action’ moments where you adapted to the situation as it unfolded during the CT QA process.
- Identify what learning you can take from this experience of performing routine CT QA e.g., what strengths did you demonstrate?
- What skills and/or knowledge gaps were evident? Compare this experience against previous engagement with similar CT QA activities – were any previously identified actions for development achieved?
- Has your practice improved in performing CT QA?
- Identify any challenges you experienced while performing the CT QA and how you reacted to these e.g., did this affect your ability to deal with the situation? Were you able to overcome the challenges?
- Identify anything significant about this specific CT QA activity e.g., did you need to seek advice or clarification regarding the CT unit? Or did you need to escalate to ensure that you were working within your scope of practice?
- Acknowledge any changes in your own feelings now that you are looking back on the experience of performing the routine CT QA.
- Identify the actions / ‘next steps’ you will now take to support the assimilation of what you have learnt from performing routine CT QA, including from any feedback you have received e.g., what will you do differently next time you perform CT QA? Has anything changed in terms of what you would do if you were faced with a similar CT QA situation again? Do you need to practise any aspect of CT QA further?
Beyond action
- Have you reviewed the actions you identified for improvement from your prior reflections on this activity? What specific actions did you plan to take to improve your understanding of CT imaging artifacts, phantom results interpretation, or efficiency in performing the checks? Have you completed these actions, and are you ready to demonstrate this new learning in your CT QA practice? Has discussing these experiences with others provided new insights or changed your perspective on the importance of certain checks or the implications of specific results?
- Consider how the learning derived from multiple CT QA activities will support you in preparing for observed ‘in-person’ assessments, particularly those involving imaging quality or QA protocols. Reflect on how your practice in performing routine CT QA has developed and evolved. Do you now have a clearer understanding of the subtle nuances in results or a more refined ability to determine when an issue is outside your immediate expertise?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 2 |
Outcome
Perform required measurements to establish a treatment machine is suitable for clinical use; interpret results and instigate corrective action where required. |
| # 3 |
Outcome
Apply appropriate guidance, regulations and codes of practice to ensure patient safety in all elements of practice. |