Training activity information
Details
Assist in the commissioning or re-validation of treatment equipment or techniques
Type
Developmental training activity (DTA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee.
Reflection on the activity at one or more time points after the event including learning from the activity and/or areas of the trainees practice for development.
An action plan to implement learning and/or to address skills or knowledge gaps identified.
Considerations
- Risk assessment
- Collection and analysis of data for new equipment or technique
- Re-validation of existing beam data and critical analysis of agreement
- Commissioning of a new treatment technique
- Commissioning of a new or upgraded treatment planning system
- Critical exam
- Impact on the outcomes, safety and experience of patients
- Patient and public involvement in commissioning plans
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 is the specific treatment equipment or technique being commissioned or re-validated?
- What are the key performance parameters that need to be tested? What protocols and procedures are involved?
- Have you discussed your role and responsibilities with the lead physicist?
- What challenges might arise during the process?
- How do you feel about assisting in technical validation processes?
In action
- What measurements, tests, or procedures are you assisting with?
- What documentation and protocols are being followed?
- What safety checks are being performed?
- Are you able to follow instructions and perform your assigned tasks accurately?
- Are you observing the results of the tests and measurements?
- Are you identifying any deviations from the expected performance?
- How is your involvement contributing to the overall commissioning or re-validation process?
- If unexpected results are obtained or technical difficulties arise, how are you responding to the situation?
- Are you communicating your observations to the supervising physicist or engineer?
- Are you learning from the troubleshooting process?
On action
- What specific treatment equipment or technique was being commissioned or re-validated? What were the key tests and measurements performed? What phantoms or other tools were used? What acceptance criteria were being evaluated against? What were the findings of the commissioning or re-validation process?
- What did you learn about your understanding of the quality assurance principles applied to radiotherapy equipment and techniques, your ability to follow detailed protocols and procedures, and your appreciation for the level of precision and accuracy required in radiotherapy delivery? Did you identify any areas where your knowledge of specific equipment or validation methods could be enhanced?
- How will this enhance your understanding of the importance of equipment and technique validation? How will this improve your ability to participate in future commissioning or re-validation activities? What further knowledge of specific equipment or testing procedures would be beneficial?
Beyond action
- Looking back at your involvement, what aspects of the commissioning or re-validation process do you now better understand?
- How has this experience reinforced the importance of quality assurance and equipment/technique validation in radiotherapy?
- How has your experience in this area since contributed to your current role in maintaining high standards of practice and safety in radiotherapy?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 |
Outcome
Perform required measurements to establish whether a treatment machine is suitable for clinical use and apply corrective actions where required. |
| # 4 |
Outcome
Critically appraise the application of radiotherapy treatments and techniques and make recommendations considering safety, efficacy, outcomes and the suitability and impact on the patient. |
| # 5 |
Outcome
Evaluate the application of novel and evolving techniques and treatments in radiotherapy. |
| # 6 |
Outcome
Plan for adoption and validation of new techniques and equipment in radiotherapy. |
| # 7 |
Outcome
Assess the quality of practice and make recommendations for improvements. |
| # 8 |
Outcome
Practice effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide safe, patient centred radiotherapy treatments. |