Enhancing IMRT/VMAT Competencies in LMICs globally within radiation physicists through remote training Journal Article
| Authors: | Silverwood, S. M.; Carlson, C. M.; Zhu, H.; Biancia, C. D.; Dempsey, C.; Shulman, A.; Keiper, T. D.; Koufigar, S.; Yorke, A.; Jalal, B.; Yu, C.; Dimitriadou, D.; Wilson, L.; Nano, T.; Li, B. |
| Article Title: | Enhancing IMRT/VMAT Competencies in LMICs globally within radiation physicists through remote training |
| Abstract: | Background and Purpose: High-quality intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)/volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) is necessary to drive positive patient outcomes, yet gaps in staff training hinder its implementation in low-to-middle-income countries (LMICs). This work aimed to evaluate a large-scale remote training curriculum for medical physicists and clinicians with existing IMRT infrastructure in LMICs. Materials and Methods: A 15-week free, virtual course with weekly live sessions incorporating didactics and case-based learning led by expert volunteers was conducted. The first 500 registrants were accepted into the program. Participants’ confidence and knowledge was evaluated via pre- and post-course surveys on a 1–5 Likert scale across seven IMRT/VMAT domains and through 11 multiple-choice questions. Participants also created treatment plans for standardized bilateral head-and-neck cancer cases, assessed by eight expert volunteers using qualitative rubrics and quantitative scorecards on the ProKnow DS platform. Performances were compared using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Results: A total of 240 medical physicists, medical physics residents, and dosimetrists responded to both the pre- and post-course surveys. Mean confidence scores increased from 3.00/5 (SD: 1.04) to 3.80/5 (0.87) (p < 0.001). Knowledge scores improved from 4.16/11 (SD: 1.77) to 5.98/11 (SD: 2.11) (p < 0.001). Additionally, 33 participants completed both the pre-course and post-course treatment planning assignments. Automated scorecard performance significantly improved from 12.64/25 (SD: 7.50) to 17.74/25 (SD: 6.74) (p = 0.0004). Grading rubric scores did not significantly change, from 9.15/14 (SD: 3.33) to 9.76/14 (SD: 2.65) (p = 0.4). Conclusion: The virtual IMRT/VMAT curriculum significantly enhanced knowledge, confidence, and treatment planning skills among participants, demonstrating a scalable, low-cost intervention for improving IMRT/VMAT implementation in LMICs. © 2025 |
| Keywords: | treatment outcome; major clinical study; intensity modulated radiation therapy; treatment planning; health survey; training; education; head and neck cancer; curriculum; resident; radiation oncology; dosimetry; scoring system; health care personnel; staff training; clinical effectiveness; tomotherapy; volunteer; physics; knowledge; volumetric modulated arc therapy; health physics; geographic distribution; clinician; wilcoxon signed ranks test; radiation physics; multiple choice test; human; article; middle income country; likert scale; medical physicist; low income country; distance learning; virtual platforms; health infrastructure; low-resource; case based learning; dosimetrist |
| Journal Title: | Radiotherapy and Oncology |
| Volume: | 209 |
| ISSN: | 01678140 |
| Publisher: | 2025 |
| Date Published: | 2025-01-01 |
| Start Page: | 110957 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.radonc.2025.110957 |
| PUBMED: | 40419116 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | Article -- Source: Scopus |
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