Head-and-neck target delineation among radiation oncology residents after a teaching intervention: A prospective, blinded pilot study Journal Article
| Authors: | Bekelman, J. E.; Wolden, S.; Lee, N. |
| Article Title: | Head-and-neck target delineation among radiation oncology residents after a teaching intervention: A prospective, blinded pilot study |
| Abstract: | Purpose: We conducted this study to determine the feasibility of incorporating a teaching intervention on target delineation into the educational curriculum of a radiation oncology residency program and to assess the short-term effects on resident skills. Methods and Materials: The study schema consisted of a baseline evaluation, the teaching intervention, and a follow-up evaluation. At the baseline evaluation, the participants contoured three clinical tumor volumes (CTVs) (70 Gy, 59.4 Gy, and 54 Gy) on six contrast-enhanced axial computed tomography images of a de-identified patient with Stage T2N2bM0 squamous cell carcinoma of the right base of the tongue. The participants attended a series of head-and-neck oncology and anatomy seminars. The teaching intervention consisted of a didactic lecture and an interactive hands-on practical session designed to improve the knowledge and skills for target delineation in the head and neck. At the follow-up evaluation, the residents again contoured the CTVs. Results: Of the 14 eligible residents, 11 (79%) actually participated in the study. For all participants, but especially for those who had not had previous experience with head-and-neck target delineation, the teaching intervention was associated with improvement in the delineation of the node-negative neck (CTV 54 Gy contour). Regardless of clinical experience, participants had difficulty determining what should be included in the CTV 59.4 Gy contour to ensure adequate coverage of potential microscopic disease. Conclusion: Incorporating a teaching intervention into the education curriculum of a radiation oncology residency program is feasible and was associated with short-term improvements in target delineation skills. Subsequent interventions will require content refinement, additional validation, longer term follow-up, and multi-institutional collaboration. © 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. |
| Keywords: | intensity modulated radiation therapy; squamous cell carcinoma; carcinoma, squamous cell; cancer radiotherapy; prospective study; prospective studies; tumor volume; radiotherapy; teaching; tomography, x-ray computed; oncology; medical education; evaluation; education; head and neck cancer; imrt; intensity-modulated radiotherapy; target delineation; computerized tomography; curricula; diagnostic radiography; medical imaging; physical therapy; radiation effects; targets; tomography; tumors; base-lines; clinical experiences; clinical tumor volumes; computed tomography images; institutional collaborations; radiation oncologies; squamous cell carcinomata; teaching interventions; clinical education; curriculum; pilot study; resident; clinical competence; diagnostic errors; feasibility studies; head and neck neoplasms; inservice training; internship and residency; pilot projects; program evaluation; radiation oncology; radiotherapy, intensity-modulated; tumor burden |
| Journal Title: | International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics |
| Volume: | 73 |
| Issue: | 2 |
| ISSN: | 0360-3016 |
| Publisher: | Elsevier Inc. |
| Date Published: | 2009-02-01 |
| Start Page: | 416 |
| End Page: | 423 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2008.04.028 |
| PUBMED: | 18538494 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 2" - "Export Date: 30 November 2010" - "CODEN: IOBPD" - "Source: Scopus" |
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