Module information
Module details
- Title
- Introduction to Radiotherapy Physics
- Type
- Rotation
- Module code
- S-RP-R1
- Credits
- 10
- Phase
- 1
- Requirement
- Compulsory
Aim of this module
This module will introduce trainees to the practices and principles of Radiotherapy Physics and the role of Radiotherapy Physicists in treating patients.
Work-based content
Training activities
| # | Learning outcome | Training activity | Type | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| # 1 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Attend a clinical meeting where potential new radiotherapy patients are being discussed with the multidisciplinary clinical team and reflect on the meeting |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 2 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Attend a meeting where radiotherapy treatments and/or plans are being discussed with the multidisciplinary radiotherapy team and reflect on the meeting |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 3 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Shadow Radiotherapy Physicists in a range of experiences and reflect on their role |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 4 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Observe quality assurance for a LINAC |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 5 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Follow the patient treatment pathway from immobilisation, planning scan(s), planning and treatment for at least two different treatment modalities and reflect on the journeys |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 6 | Learning outcome 1,3,4,6 |
Training activities
Explore a recently introduced new technology or technique in your department and reflect on the impact on practice and patients |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 7 | Learning outcome 1,3,5,6 |
Training activities
Review the role of legislation and guidance in radiotherapy and reflect on how this guide ensures safe practice in radiotherapy |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 8 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Observe the creation of radiotherapy treatment plans for a range of anatomical sites and reflect on the process |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 9 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Observe treatment deliveries for a range of anatomical sites and reflect on the process |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 10 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Follow the journey of clinical data through the radiotherapy patient pathway and reflect on the journey |
Type OTA | Action View |
Assessments
Complete 1 Case-Based Discussion
Complete 1 OCE
Observed Communication Event Titles
- Gather a patient history relevant to the specialty from a patient, patient representative, a member of the multidisciplinary team.
- Present a patient history relevant to the specialty to a member of the multidisciplinary team.
- Discuss the safe operation of the treatment unit.
- Discuss the clinical appropriateness of a treatment plan.
Learning outcomes
| # | Learning outcome |
|---|---|
| 1 | Explore the contribution of Radiotherapy Physics to patient care. |
| 2 | Identify the roles and relationships of the multidisciplinary team in Radiotherapy Physics. |
| 3 | Describe the working practices of Radiotherapy Physics. |
| 4 | Examine the impact of innovation in Radiotherapy Physics. |
| 5 | Review the effect of legislation in Radiotherapy Physics. |
| 6 | Compare and contrast the practice of Radiotherapy Physics with other specialties. |
Clinical experiences
Activities
There is no clinical experiential learning associated with this module.
Academic content (MSc in Clinical Science)
Important information
The academic parts of this module will be detailed and communicated to you by your university. Please contact them if you have questions regarding this module and its assessments. The module titles in your MSc may not be exactly identical to the work-based modules shown in the e-portfolio. Your modules will be aligned, however, to ensure that your academic and work-based learning are complimentary.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module the trainee will be able to:
- Apply integrative knowledge of the fundamental physical and radiobiological principles underpinning radiotherapy.
- Evaluate the patient pathway from pre-treatment imaging to treatment delivery and verification, including critical awareness of the associated risks and limitations.
- Explain the basic operation of radiotherapy equipment, including linear accelerators, imaging systems and dosimetry equipment.
- Appraise the application of current local, national and international recommendations to simple treatment planning.
- Interpret radiation protection legislation specific to radiotherapy.
Indicative content
| Malignancy and radiotherapy | Radical, palliative and adjuvant treatments, patient pathways, tumour and OAR types, shared decision making |
| Basic radiobiology | 5 Rs, DNA damage, LQ model, α/β ratios, fractionation, TCP/NTCP |
| Introduction to radiotherapy equipment | Construction and operation of linacs (basic), and superficial x-ray machines |
| Dosimetry equipment | Ion chambers, diodes, film, TLDs, chemical dosimeters, clinical uses |
| Interactions of photons and charged particles with matter | Relevant importance of absorption and scatter processes (photoelectric effect, Compton effect, pair production) in radiotherapy treatment and imaging. Stopping power and LET. Interaction of secondary electrons with matter. |
| Determination of absorbed dose | Calibration chain, NPL primary standards, free-air ionisation chamber, graphite calorimeter, correction factors, intercomparisons, basic overview of codes of practice, determining beam output |
| Characteristics of clinical beams | Energy specification, photon PDDs, TMR and TPR, beam profiles, head and phantom scatter, isodoses, penumbra, electron beams, superficial x-ray beams, proton Bragg peak, beam shaping, wedges |
| Measurement of PDDs and profiles | Water tanks, phantoms, equipment |
| Introduction to quality control | Accuracy requirements in radiotherapy. Avoiding errors. QA and QC, quality system, calibration, safety standards, available guidance. Independent checking. |
| Target volume localisation | Multi-modality imaging used for target volume localisation: specific requirements for use in RT vs. diagnosis, immobilisation |
| Principles of treatment planning | Characteristics of a good treatment plan, TPS, ICRU reports (delineating volumes, margins, dose reporting, prescribing), normalisation, isodoses, DVHs, simple conformal planning and IMRT/VMAT, transfer of DICOM plan to linac |
| Monitor unit calculations | Use of PDD/TPR and scatter data, equivalent squares, single field and parallel opposed field calculations |
| Introduction to treatment verification | Imaging equipment, treatment accuracy and tolerances |
| Introduction to radiation protection specific to radiotherapy
|
Bunker design, safety features and interlocks, personnel safety, controlled area designation, local rules
|
| Introduction to brachytherapy | Types of brachy, characteristics of sealed sources, clinical uses of brachy |
Module assigned to
Specialties
| Specialty code | Specialty title | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Specialty code SPE1-1-22 | Specialty title Radiotherapy Physics [2022] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-2-22 | Specialty title Imaging with Non-Ionising Radiation [2022] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-5-22 | Specialty title Nuclear Medicine [2022] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-6-22 | Specialty title Radiation Safety and Diagnostic Radiology [2022] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-2-23 | Specialty title Imaging with Non-Ionising Radiation [2023] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-5-23 | Specialty title Nuclear Medicine [2023] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-6-23 | Specialty title Radiation Safety and Diagnostic Radiology [2023] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-1-23 | Specialty title Radiotherapy Physics [2023] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-6-24 | Specialty title Radiation Safety and Diagnostic Radiology [2024] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-2-24 | Specialty title Imaging with Non-Ionising Radiation [2024] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-5-24 | Specialty title Nuclear Medicine [2024] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-1-24 | Specialty title Radiotherapy Physics [2024] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-1-25 | Specialty title Radiotherapy Physics [2025] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-5-25 | Specialty title Nuclear Medicine [2025] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-2-25 | Specialty title Imaging with Non-Ionising Radiation [2024] | Action View |
| Specialty code SPE1-6-25 | Specialty title Radiation Safety and Diagnostic Radiology [2025] | Action View |