Radiation therapists’ perceptions of the minimum level of experience required to perform portal image analysis

Rybovic, Michala; Halkett, Georgia K.; Banati, Richard B.; Cox, Jennifer

doi:10.1016/j.radi.2007.07.004

« Previous Next »Radiography
Volume 14, Issue 4 , Pages 294-300, November 2008

Radiation therapists’ perceptions of the minimum level of experience required to perform portal image analysis

Michala Rybovic
- Discipline of Medical Radiation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, PO Box 170, Lidcombe, NSW 1825, Australia
- Corresponding author. Tel: +61 421 305 931; fax: +61 2 9351 9146.
Georgia K. Halkett
- Western Australia Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care, Curtin University of Technology, Health Research Campus, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845, Australia
- Tel.: +61 8 92661762; fax: +61 8 9266 1770.
Richard B. Banati
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Brain & Mind Research Institute – Ramaciotti Centre for Brain Imaging, The University of Sydney, PO Box 170, Lidcombe, NSW 1825, Australia
- Tel.: +61 2 9351 9884; fax: +61 2 9351 9146.
Jennifer Cox
- Discipline of Medical Radiation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, PO Box 170, Lidcombe, NSW 1825, Australia
- Tel.: +612 9351 9060; fax: +61 2 9351 9146.

Received 30 April 2007; received in revised form 19 June 2007; accepted 12 July 2007.

Abstract

Background and purpose

Our aim was to explore radiation therapists’ views on the level of experience necessary to undertake portal image analysis and clinical decision making.

Materials and methods

A questionnaire was developed to determine the availability of portal imaging equipment in Australia and New Zealand. We analysed radiation therapists’ responses to a specific question regarding their opinion on the minimum level of experience required for health professionals to analyse portal images. We used grounded theory and a constant comparative method of data analysis to derive the main themes.

Results

Forty-six radiation oncology facilities were represented in our survey, with 40 questionnaires being returned (87%). Thirty-seven radiation therapists answered our free-text question. Radiation therapists indicated three main themes which they felt were important in determining the minimum level of experience: ‘gaining on-the-job experience’, ‘receiving training’ and ‘working as a team’.

Conclusions

Radiation therapists indicated that competence in portal image review occurs via various learning mechanisms. Further research is warranted to determine perspectives of other health professionals, such as radiation oncologists, on portal image review becoming part of radiation therapists’ extended role. Suitable training programs and steps for implementation should be developed to facilitate this endeavour.

Keywords: Experience, Portal imaging, Questionnaire, Radiation therapist, Role extension