Courses and Schedule

An advanced practice radiation therapist possesses the knowledge, elevated skills and judgment to provide a higher level of care within the radiation oncology department and affect quality care and physician practice. International evidence-based practice demonstrates the value of elevating the radiation therapists’ skill set through education and competency to provide intervention at integral points along the radiation oncology care pathway. Advanced practice radiation therapists are a new level of provider who can make key improvements in patient care and outcomes. This session will summarize the advanced practice radiation therapy landscape in the U.S. and internationally. The speakers will review the inpatient process, workflow and interventions established at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, along with initial takeaways from their research. The session will include general ideas for establishing an advanced practice radiation therapist role in any department, and the speakers will discuss their experiences as advanced practice radiation therapists and the primary researchers of this innovative work.

Danielle Mcdonagh, M.S., R.T.(T)

Clodagh Starrs, PgC., R.T.(T)

Objectives

• Define and explore the need for advanced practice radiation therapy.
• Explain international models of practice and alternative models of care that leverage an elevated therapist skill set to enhance quality care, treatment outcomes and patient safety.
• Demonstrate the challenges, successes and collaborations of the team at Mount Sinai and nationally.
• Describe the framework established for the advanced practice radiation therapist role and summarize the duties of an advanced practice radiation therapist supporting the inpatient population at Mount Sinai Hospital.
• Discuss the potential pathway for establishing and researching advanced practice radiation therapy in your department.

This course will provide a short refresher on the types of breast cancer, with a focus on triple negative breast cancer. The speaker will differentiate the specifics of triple negative breast cancer from other breast cancers and lead a discussion on the various treatment regimens for all stages of triple negative breast cancer, including radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery. Attendees will learn about the latest clinical trial triumphs and failures, along with patient outcomes based on stage and treatment. The speaker will also discuss the emotional and physiological affect this disease has on women ages 40-50.

Sally Eggleston, M.B.A., B.S., R.T.(T)

Objectives

• Differentiate what distinguishes triple negative breast cancer from other breast cancer types.
• Describe the various treatment regimens of triple negative breast cancer.
• Define the latest clinical trial data for triple negative breast cancer.
• Discuss long-term effects based on age of onset of the disease.

This session will review complex case studies related to surface guided radiation therapy. The speaker will discuss the implications for SGRT use for complex cases, describe the methods and workflows that can be used for complex cases, and share the challenges and opportunities associated with SGRT.

Jonathan Ortiz, M.B.A., B.S., R.T.(T)

Objectives

• Discuss the implications of SGRT use for complex cases.
• Recognize the challenges and opportunities of SGRT.
• Describe the methods and workflows possible for complex cases.

Radiation therapy patients benefit from understanding their role during treatment. Computed tomography simulation and immobilization can educate patients on their role in treatment and on what radiation therapists are doing and increase patient comfort and confidence during treatment. This session will demonstrate ways to build rapport with patients and explain how to talk to patients about what to expect from simulation and treatment.

Kristin Bock, R.T.(R)(T)

Objectives

• Demonstrate ways to build rapport with patients.
• Explain what the patient can expect from simulation and treatment.
• Identify causes of patient stress and ways to reduce or ease the concern.

Environments of trust and collaboration are important for radiation therapists. This session will provide attendees with tools to have productive workplace interactions and experiences. Attendees will learn constructive ways to participate in effective performance reviews and will gain an understanding of the importance of a 360 review. Attendees will learn how to have transparent and collaborative conversations through ongoing feedback, understand the importance of coaching and discover different coaching approaches and coaching-based performance reviews.

Kimberly Callahan, B.S., R.T.(T)

Objectives

• Strategize ways to conduct or participate in effective performance reviews.
• Explain how to deliver and receive constructive feedback.
• Develop coaching skills.
• Describe how to cultivate an environment of trust and collaboration.

This exciting course will elucidate and address some of the myths and misinformation about radiation in general, and more specifically, about medical radiation — from external beam radiation therapy to brachytherapy to positron emission tomography scans. The speaker will explore the sources of this misinformation and examine some of the factors that might lead a patient to believe questionable or unscientific information. Attendees will learn to receive patients’ questions and concerns with respect and to reply with humility, confidence and facts that are concise and easy to understand. Because of the varied nature of patient questions, this course will also serve as a refresher for a variety of subjects including radiation safety, simple physics and patient care. By the end of this course, attendees will be able to confidently clarify misinformation about medical radiation and allay patients’ fears by compassionately explaining scientific processes in language that patients can understand.

Joseph Bender, R.T.(R)(T)

Objectives

• Explain medical misinformation and its effects on treatment.
• Identify common sources of medical misinformation.
• Discuss complicated medical science with patients in language they can understand.
• Improve understanding of basic radiation safety, simple components of radiation physics and patient care.
• Discuss ways to improve trust and understanding between patient and caregiver.

This course will increase understanding of Varian’s newest imaging technology, which can improve clinical efficiencies and treatment accuracy. Varian’s HyperSight can enhance the image quality used for daily image guidance and produce computed tomography-quality images that can be used for treatment planning. This session will give an overview of the Halcyon treatment platform equipped with HyperSight, compare it to traditional CT simulation and showcase the enhancements for daily image guidance. The speakers will share their experience with treating the first clinical patient in the world using Varian’s HyperSight and how they envision their future using this advanced imaging solution in radiation oncology.

Brian Kempsey, M.H.I., R.T.(R)(T)

Laura Kendrick, R.T.(T)

Objectives

• Identify patients who will be ideal for simulation and treatment with HyperSight.
• Describe the similarities and differences between Halcyon and Halcyon equipped with HyperSight.
• Describe the similarities and differences between traditional CT simulation and simulation using Halcyon equipped with HyperSight.
• Discuss future expectations for HyperSight.
• Explain how to simulate and treat various treatment areas using workflows designed for Halcyon with HyperSight.

Cardiac stereotactic body radiation therapy is a noninvasive outpatient procedure that, while still awaiting FDA approval, has demonstrated reduction of arrhythmia episodes and favorable short-term benefits for patients who have not responded to traditional treatments. The role of the radiation therapist in the simulation and treatment process is crucial to ensuring an accurate and reproducible treatment to the heart — an organ that is typically avoided in radiation treatments. The speakers will present a case study on a 44-year-old man diagnosed with end-stage ischemic cardiomyopathy with refractory ventricular tachycardia that follows him through the simulation and treatment process.

Kylie Giller, R.T.(T)

Morgan Vozzolo, R.T.(T)

Objectives

• Explain the basics of VT and what makes someone a candidate for this new treatment option using stereotactic body radiation therapy.
• Discuss the therapist’s role in simulation and treatment.
• Explore a case study of the patient from consult through simulation and treatment.
• Discuss the controversy around this new treatment.

This course will build and enhance best practices for managing radiation treatment anxieties. Trauma-informed care encourages providers to understand a patient's life experiences to deliver effective care. The goal of this session is to explore the unique role that radiation therapists can play in providing psychosocial support and collaborating with other team members to improve treatment adherence, outcomes and the patient experience. This course will demonstrate intervention strategies and ways to implement techniques and methods that radiation therapists can use to manage treatment anxieties in daily clinic practices.

Courtney Misher, M.P.H., R.T.(T)

Objectives

• Demonstrate use of a trauma-informed care lens to understand the unique position of therapists to provide support for patients.
• Explore ways to validate patient experience and understand its effect on access to and use of health care services.
• Explain how to advocate for a trauma and anxiety history screening for all patients and identify barriers to psychosocial care.
• Demonstrate how to foster interdisciplinary care and collaborate with psychosocial care providers.
• Describe ways to implement techniques and strategies to manage radiation treatment anxiety in your clinic.

Leaders in the health care industry — from the World Health Organization to the U.S. surgeon general — have begun to acknowledge burnout as a legitimate challenge facing the health care community, with far-reaching consequences for patient care, outcomes and innovation. The COVID-19 pandemic places new and significant burdens on an already strained group of workers, creating a new pandemic: burnout.

Burnout is at an all-time high in the health care industry due to excessive workloads, workforce shortages, administrative burdens, limited say in scheduling, lack of organizational support, cultural stigmas, resource shortages, COVID-19 precautions and inequities around social determinants of health exacerbated by the pandemic. There is a clear disconnect between health care workers and the mission that motivates them. Promising research shows how to improve health care workers’ mental health and well-being, and the research offers organizational approaches as well as strategies that managers and individuals can implement. The purpose of this session is to educate attendees on how we can confront this issue to mitigate long-term effects.

Rex Kantatan, B.H.Sc., R.T.(T), CMM

Objectives

• Define burnout and the prevalence among medical professionals.
• Explain the causes of burnout.
• Identify the symptoms and effects of burnout.
• Describe how to implement initiatives to prevent burnout.
• Perform stress management techniques to mitigate burnout.

This workshop will compare patient setups with and without marks or tattoos, including how the setups look at the time of simulation for basic treatment areas and techniques and for deep inspiration breath hold. The workshop will primarily focus on strategies to help attendees implement tattoo- and mark-free patient setups in their treatment centers and on how to troubleshoot mark-free patient setups. The workshop will use the live AlignRT system.

This session is limited to 30 attendees.

Sean Glashauser, B.S., R.T.(T)

Jasmine McEachnie, B.S., R.T.(T)

Objectives

• Provide hands-on experience of what it’s like to work in a treatment center that doesn’t use tattoos or marks.
• Engage attendees on strategies to provide treatment without tattoos or marks.
• Explain the benefits of a mark-free treatment center for patients and clinicians.

Whole brain radiation therapy was the standard of care for decades. However, after multiple studies and with the development of improved technology and reliable immobilization devices, stereotactic brain irradiation is steadily becoming the preferred treatment for brain metastases. Stereotactic radiosurgery limits toxicity to normal areas of the brain, reduces patient neurological adverse effects and increases local control. In this session, the speakers will discuss best practices for SRS brain irradiation from start to finish and demonstrate techniques and methodologies to improve patient setup.

Ryan M. Moroose, B.A., R.T.(R)(T), CMD

Tyson Judy, B.A., R.T.(R)(T)

This session is limited to 30 attendees.

Objectives

• Discuss the benefits and evolution of SRS.
• Discuss dosimetric planning considerations for SRS.
• Describe key tips and tactics for SRS mask molding and overall setup.
• Explain how to reduce and monitor intrafraction motion.
• Demonstrate SRS best practices start to finish.

Imposter syndrome is a phenomenon, first defined by psychologists in the 1970s, characterized by feelings of self-doubt and an inability to internalize success. Imposter syndrome can have a variety of effects on individuals of all ages and career tracks. This course will give attendees a working knowledge of imposter syndrome and how it may affect stakeholders in the radiation therapy community: students, educators, clinicians and managers. Attendees will gain an understanding of the influence social media may have on the development of this phenomenon. The session will explore how imposter syndrome affects different generations. The course will also identify the implications of imposter syndrome on wellness and look at interventions to overcome the negative effects.

Amanda Hanstein, M.S.H.A., R.T.(T)

Marissa Mangrum, M.S.R.S., R.T.(T)

Objectives

• Define imposter syndrome and identify signs.
• Identify imposter syndrome as it relates to areas of the radiation therapy community.
• Compare and contrast how imposter syndrome affects different generations.
• Explore implications and interventions to improve wellness.
• Outline future research trends.

This course will provide registered radiation therapists and dosimetrists with the results of the NRG 1005 protocol. This protocol compared hypofractionated whole breast irradiation with concurrent boost versus conventional whole breast irradiation plus sequential boost following lumpectomy for high-risk, early-stage breast cancer. The study concluded that the contaminant boost resulted in non-inferior in-breast recurrences compared to the standard course with a sequential boost. These results were distributed among doctors during the 2022 American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) conference, and this approach has since trickled into clinical application. The speaker will briefly review the rationale for hypofractionation in breast treatment, as well as NRG 1005 findings. Attendees will learn about solutions to treat a simultaneous integrated 3D breast boost within the patient’s hypofractionated course, along with physician feedback on this process. The session will also give an overview of current fractionation schemas available for breast patients.

Jessica Johnson, M.S., R.T.(T), CMD

Objectives

• Describe NRG 1005 methods and results.
• List varying treatment approaches to 3D SIB.
• Demonstrate a general understanding of Raystation planning.
• Discuss future directions of breast cancer treatment.

This course will discuss the various ways artificial intelligence and user experience design engineering tools are being applied to medical devices. Attendees will gain understanding on how these tools can help radiation therapists become more efficient and learn what to watch for if these tools fail. With advancements in technology being used everywhere, medical device users must be especially aware of how manufacturers incorporate the latest technology into the products they use. Most AI and UX tools help make therapists more efficient and productive, but these tools can also be worrisome and challenging. The speakers will aim to build attendees’ understanding of AI and UX tools used in radiation oncology.

Jeremy Heil, M.S.

Cristina Negrut, M.S., M.A.

Objectives

• Understand the different types of artificial intelligence.
• Identify when AI is being used in a device.
• Understand the pros and cons of each type of AI.
• Know regulatory bodies’ guidances of implementing AI and UX in devices.
• Identify when training and organizational processes are needed for implementing new technologies.
• Understand what to watch for when AI and UX fail.

Under the larger umbrella of diversity, equity and inclusion, this session will highlight the disparities that exist in cancer care for deaf patients. The speakers will present on required accommodations to ensure the equitable delivery of radiation therapy treatment. Additionally, the session will review the process clinical teams can implement to improve workflow, be culturally inclusive and develop an optimized protocol for deaf patients receiving respiratory gating stereotactic body radiation therapy for liver cancer. The speakers will discuss options for visually guided prompts using an American Sign Language interpreter via Zoom and visual aid goggles. Attendees will learn the methodologies used for improving and adapting workflows to meet the needs of patients with specific needs.

Alex Ashley, R.T.(R)(T)

Keith Edwards, R.T.(T)

Objectives

• Discuss implementation of a culturally inclusive process that improves cancer care workflow and patient care.
• Improve understanding of a diverse patient population and its needs.
• Gain techniques to discuss the benefits of culturally competent care and visually guided prompts with hospital and clinic administrations.

This session will discuss the coding of professional and technical diagnoses and how the codes are applied, valued and revalued by the Relative Update Committee as well as Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and other payers. The speaker will talk about how radiation therapy fits into other health care specialties. This session will give radiation therapist a micro and macro view of oncology and health care and discuss how participants’ actions fit into the overall national approach to oncology.

Ron DiGiaimo, M.B.A.

Objectives

• Discuss the cost of care for staffing, operations and clinics across the United States, what the radiation therapist is responsible for and how they can positively affect cost of care.
• Discover some of the main Current Procedural Terminology codes used in radiation therapy and the general reimbursement for the CPT codes for hospitals and free-standing clinics nationally.
• Discuss the critical importance of being aware of and involved in the proposed rules and final rules for radiology, interventional radiology and radiation therapy.

This workshop will compare patient setups with and without marks or tattoos, including how the setups look at the time of simulation for basic treatment areas and techniques and for deep inspiration breath hold. The workshop will primarily focus on strategies to help attendees implement tattoo- and mark-free patient setups in their treatment centers and on how to troubleshoot mark-free patient setups. The workshop will use the live AlignRT system.

Sean Glashauser, B.S., R.T.(T)

Jasmine McEachnie, B.S., R.T.(T)

This session is limited to 30 attendees.

Objectives

• Provide hands-on experience of what it’s like to work in a treatment center that doesn’t use tattoos or marks.
• Engage attendees on strategies to provide treatment without tattoos or marks.
• Explain the benefits of a mark-free treatment center for patients and clinicians.

Whole brain radiation therapy was the standard of care for decades. However, after multiple studies and with the development of improved technology and reliable immobilization devices, stereotactic brain irradiation is steadily becoming the preferred treatment for brain metastases. Stereotactic radiosurgery limits toxicity to normal areas of the brain, reduces patient neurological adverse effects and increases local control. In this session, the speakers will discuss best practices for SRS brain irradiation from start to finish and demonstrate techniques and methodologies to improve patient setup.

Ryan M. Moroose, B.A., R.T.(R)(T), CMD

Tyson Judy, B.A., R.T.(R)(T)

This session is limited to 30 attendees.

Objectives

• Discuss the benefits and evolution of SRS.
• Discuss dosimetric planning considerations for SRS.
• Describe key tips and tactics for SRS mask molding and overall setup.
• Explain how to reduce and monitor intrafraction motion.
• Demonstrate SRS best practices start to finish.

If you are interested in attending this luncheon please RSVP at publications@asrt.org.

Objectives

Disruptive technologies present unique opportunities to advance the practice of radiation therapists. The commercial integration of a magnetic resonance scanner with a linear accelerator, also known as MR-Linac, is a recent disruptive technology that provides superb soft tissue visualization to facilitate daily online adaptive radiation therapy. The benefit of online adaptation is the ability to manipulate daily delivered dose based on patient anatomy of the day, ensuring optimal dose delivery especially in the era of hypofractionation. Various clinical cases have shown the advantages to daily patient anatomy adaptation and precise radiation dose delivery. However, online adaptive MR-guided radiation therapy is resource intensive, requiring a multidisciplinary team of radiation therapists, medical physicists and radiation oncologists for each fraction. Implementation of a new treatment paradigm offers the opportunity to evaluate multidisciplinary team member roles and optimize the use of each skill set to maximize efficiency. At the speaker’s institution, a practice-based training strategy to transition from radiation oncologist-led contouring to radiation therapist-driven contouring for whole gland prostate MR-Linac radiation therapy was developed and implemented. This session will discuss the challenges associated with transitioning to evidence-based, autonomous practice and look at the strategies used to quantify parity on decision-making for radiation therapist-driven MR-Linac adaptive radiation therapy.

Winnie Li, M.Sc., M.R.T.(T)

Objectives

• Describe disruptive technologies and provide recent examples in radiation therapy.
• Explore and describe the use of MR in adaptive radiation therapy.
• Discuss the advantages of MR image guidance through case studies.
• Examine how challenges encountered with MR-guided adaptive radiation therapy advanced the practice of Canadian radiation therapists.

In this course, the speaker will discuss her clinic’s use of Varian's IDENTIFY system. IDENTIFY is a fast, integrated surface-guided motion management system that is a part of the Varian ecosystem.

Cheyenne Hoffman, B.S., R.T.(T)

Objectives

• Understand the workflow of a radiation therapist using IDENTIFY.
• Recognize the best choice for region of interest placement and learn tips and tricks when using ROIs.
• Evaluate an IDENTIFY workflow without tattoos.
• Explain how to incorporate IDENTIFY as a radiation therapist.

Advanced imaging in radiation therapy is used for complex treatment plans that take time and precision, from simulation to the treatment room. Learning how to be a critical thinker and evaluate each patient on an individual basis during the simulation process will optimize the treatment workflow process and imaging outcomes. The computed tomography scanner’s advanced imaging capabilities allow for artificial intelligence contouring, which can enhance the treatment planning process. Identifying a streamlined process during simulation optimizes patient setup position on the first fraction, which is important to successfully complete a patient with advanced imaging. At the end of this course, attendees will be able to identify the optimal treatment imaging workflow that allows for intrafraction motion review.

Maya Korobeynik, M.H.A., R.T.(T)(CT)

Laura Kendrick, M.H.A., R.T.(T)

Objectives

• Discuss simulation workflow to optimize radiotherapy imaging.
• Explore the potential benefits of artificial intelligence contouring at the CT scanner.
• Describe patient positioning, techniques and treatment devices used for advance imaging.
• Identify why and when to use triggered imaging.
• Discuss treatment imaging workflows that enable intrafraction motion review.

Autism spectrum disorder is a lifelong developmental disability that can affect children and adults. Individuals with diagnosed or undiagnosed ASD may experience communication barriers and hypersensitivity to stimuli, which can complicate access to care and affect their radiation oncology experience. In this course, the presenter will share the common health care challenges of patients with ASD as they relate to radiation therapy treatment. The course will also explore current models of ASD health care accommodations and communication and sensory considerations specific to radiation therapy. Attendees will receive educational resources, sample guidelines, and tools to implement inclusive and individualized care for patients with ASD.

Brianna Van Dyke, B.S., R.T.(T)

Objectives

• Implement tools to accommodate sensory hypersensitivities in radiation oncology.
• Identify sensory-stimulating procedures involved in radiation therapy.
• List common barriers to care for patients on the spectrum.
• Improve communication skills to meet the needs of patients with ASD in radiation oncology.
• Distinguish the complexity and severity of traits associated with ASD.

Just culture refers to a system of shared accountability in which organizations are accountable for the systems they have designed and for responding to the behaviors of their employees in a fair and just manner. The path to high reliability is continuous and evolving. Creating a safe and transparent environment encourages reporting of system issues, human performance issues, human errors, and other hazards and ultimately improves patient care. Applying high reliability principles supports the establishment and maintenance of a strong culture of safety. However, it’s important to first look at the risk management systems already in place before addressing human involvement.

The course will provide a broad overview on establishing just culture, using data to track and identify areas of risk, reviewing the high reliability framework, and discussing the functions of the quality improvement committee and related committees. Additionally, the course will review one department’s experience with embracing just culture and embedding high reliability principles into the analysis of staff-reported safety events and give practical examples, including the approach to review an event and implementation of interventions in response to an event.

Meghan Kearney, M.S., R.T.(T)

Tara Kosak, M.Ed., R.T.(T)(CT)

Objectives

• Define just culture and high reliability.
• Illustrate ways in which just culture can be promoted and supported within the radiation oncology department.
• Discuss benefits of applying a high reliability framework in the radiation oncology setting.
• Recall ways to implement high reliability framework when analyzing safety reports.

This session will demonstrate how to use surface guided radiation therapy for head and neck and discuss deep inspiration breath hold, stereotactic body radiation therapy treatments, and more. The session will discuss implementation of the wide-ranging benefits of SGRT in cancer care as radiation oncology continues to evolve.

Hayley Petraca, B.S., R.T.(T)

This session is limited to 100 attendees.

Objectives

• Explain how SGRT can be used for unique or challenging treatment cases.
• Describe the benefits of SGRT technology in areas of the treatment center outside of the treatment vault.

Computed tomography simulation plays a major role in the delivery of accurate radiation therapy treatments. Balancing patient capabilities and physician intent means there are often obstacles that technologists must overcome to achieve a reproducible patient setup. It is important for the CT simulation therapist to understand the limitations of treatment devices, as well as patient limitations. An open mind along with open patient communication helps accommodate the needs of specific and unique populations. In this course, the speakers will review considerations for various demographics, including patients with multiple isocenters, emotional concerns and post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as geriatric patients, bariatric patients and more. This session will explain and demonstrate how to overcome problematic setups by maximizing treatment devices for personalized care.

Tyson Judy, B.A., R.T.(R)(T)

Ryan M. Moroose, B.A., R.T.(R)(T), CMD

This session is limited to 30 attendees.

Objectives

• Discuss how the patient’s condition and limitations affect setup.
• Explain how to be open minded when approaching setups in CT simulation.
• Describe the full capability of treatment devices.
• Discuss dosimetric planning considerations for difficult setups.
• Demonstrate tips and tactics to accommodate difficult setups.

In this session, attendees will have the opportunity to explore their experiences and determine topics of interest to pursue in writing. Attendees will also learn key concepts associated with publishing in a peer-reviewed journal using a case study example. The speaker will discuss her experiences in creating a submission for publication. Attendees will draft an outline of their own topic during the session.

Nora Uricchio, M.Ed., R.T.(R)(T)

Objectives

• State the importance of publishing peer-reviewed manuscripts and the effect on our profession.
• Explore key concepts associated with publishing in a peer-reviewed journal using a case study example.
• Discuss barriers and roadblocks to writing and suggestions to overcome challenges.
• Describe the research and writing process.

This course will present a planning and treatment workflow using an adaptive therapy technique, including considerations for patient selection, planning tools and techniques, and treatment delivery expectations. This session will introduce the adaptive therapy concept and increase attendees’ awareness of the treatment process and goals. Attendees will gain insight into the reasons for planning and treatment requirements and gain confidence in their knowledge and skill to provide effective treatments designed for quality outcomes.

Christopher Gainer, B.S., R.T.(R)(T), CMD

Objectives

• Differentiate metric-based planning vs. image-guided radiation therapy nonadaptive planning.
• Describe plan quality and treatment deliverability.
• Discuss adaptive treatment delivery process and workflow.
• Identify contouring requirements for healthy tissue and targets in adaptive therapy and discuss patient selection and considerations.

This course will provide a detailed overview of the newest advances in single gantry and compact proton therapy treatment. The speaker will highlight improvements in image guidance, advanced safety features, cost and speed of delivering proton treatments. In particular, this course will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these new technologies and how they change the way proton therapy is delivered vs. traditional methods.

Jason Schneider, R.T.(R)(T) 

Objectives

• Gain a basic understanding of how protons work and discuss the history and development of single gantry and compact proton therapy treatment.
• Introduce new and unique features of single gantry and compact proton therapy treatment.
• Identify the improvements of image guidance.
• Explain the different clinical applications of the machine.
• Describe the benefits and limitations of single gantry and compact proton therapy treatment.

This course will help radiation oncology departments develop tools to provide transgender patients with equitable and exceptional care. By learning up-to-date statistics on this rapidly growing population, attendees will recognize that the likelihood of treating a transgender person in their own department has increased to a near certainty. This course will address the unique health care needs of the transgender patient who faces specific obstacles that have the potential to disproportionately affect their overall care. Educating caregivers on the terminology used by transgender individuals, the barriers they face when attempting to access care and specific clinical aspects of treatment is essential to facilitate a validating and inclusive environment. This course will provide an overview of a transgender patient’s navigation through the health care system to the radiation oncology department. In addition, this course will offer strategies to prepare staff to be patient advocates and eliminate disparity through changes to the environment and staff education.

Rebecca Price Barrett, B.S., R.T.(T)

Objectives

• Recognize the unique health care needs of a transgender patient including screening guidelines and cancer risks.
• Demonstrate how a transgender patient navigates a health care environment and the barriers they may face to accessing care.
• Identify factors which may contribute to patient hesitancy to trust their health care providers.
• List tactics to improve the patient’s experience from the point when they seek care to when their treatment has been completed.
• Discuss strategies for department education on transgender care and current terminology to allow for greater equity of transgender patients seeking radiation therapy.

Therapists today have more responsibility for correct charge capture. Incorrect information obtained internally or externally could result in missed or improper billing and loss of income for your department. Rules and regulations change frequently, and today’s how-tos can quickly be put on tomorrow’s list of what not to do. It is important to know where and how to verify that the rules and regulations you’ve been taught are accurate. This course will review industry standards and explore resources for authoritative guidance to help establish how to filter advice and direction from various sources.

James E. Hugh III, M.H.A., ROCC, CHBME

Objectives

• Identify how to determine correct codes in this new era of multiple codes for the same procedure.
• Describe how to attach the correct physician to captured treatments and guidance as well as ensure the codes are correct for both the hospital and physicians.
• Discuss how to find your facility’s current governing regulations on who should supervise patient treatment to appropriately protect departments and patients.
• Explain the quickest and best method for documentation.

This session will demonstrate how to use surface guided radiation therapy for head and neck and discuss deep inspiration breath hold, stereotactic body radiation therapy treatments, and more. The session will discuss implementation of the wide-ranging benefits of SGRT in cancer care as radiation oncology continues to evolve.

Hayley Petraca, B.S., R.T.(T)

This session is limited to 100 attendees.

Objectives

• Explain how SGRT can be used for unique or challenging treatment cases.
• Describe the benefits of SGRT technology in areas of the treatment center outside of the treatment vault.

Computed tomography simulation plays a major role in the delivery of accurate radiation therapy treatments. Balancing patient capabilities and physician intent means there are often obstacles that technologists must overcome to achieve a reproducible patient setup. It is important for the CT simulation therapist to understand the limitations of treatment devices, as well as patient limitations. An open mind along with open patient communication helps accommodate the needs of specific and unique populations. In this course, the speakers will review considerations for various demographics, including patients with multiple isocenters, emotional concerns and post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as geriatric patients, bariatric patients and more. This session will explain and demonstrate how to overcome problematic setups by maximizing treatment devices for personalized care.

Tyson Judy, B.A., R.T.(R)(T)

Ryan M. Moroose, B.A., R.T.(R)(T), CMD

This session is limited to 30 attendees.

Objectives

• Discuss how the patient’s condition and limitations affect setup.
• Explain how to be open minded when approaching setups in CT simulation.
• Describe the full capability of treatment devices.
• Discuss dosimetric planning considerations for difficult setups.
• Demonstrate tips and tactics to accommodate difficult setups.

The story of Henrietta Lacks has a lot to teach us. Ms. Lacks died young due to cervical cancer. When undergoing therapy for her cancer, biopsies of her tumor were taken several times without permission. We have an immortal cell line from Henrietta that has allowed countless scientific achievements. The discovery of the immortal cell line was hidden from Henrietta’s family for many years, and her relationship to this cell line was obscured by researchers. Concepts tackled in this course will include medical and research ethics, informed consent, tissue ownership, health privacy, structural racism and the relevance of these concepts in clinical practice.

Cameron Tharp, B.S., R.T.(T)

Objectives

• Contribute to a deeper understanding of research and medical ethics.
• Explore the story of Henrietta Lacks and the lessons learned from her experience.
• Discuss how to use the lessons to improve clinical practice.
• Cultivate an understanding of structural racism, discrimination and implicit bias.

This course will enhance attendees’ practical knowledge of the deep inspiration breath hold technique in clinical practice. Penn Medicine has used the DIBH technique since 2010 and has gained valuable experience for simulation and for treatment on protons and linear accelerators, including the IX, Edge, Truebeam and Halcyon. This session will provide an in-depth look at the integration and effective use of both spirometric motion and active breathing coordinator systems, as used by Penn Medicine. The speakers will emphasize specific considerations necessary to achieve the most successful treatment objectives. New and current users of DIBH will gain insight to enhance their knowledge.

Emily Gores, B.S., R.T.(T)

Jessica Eufrasio, R.T.(R)(T)

Objectives

• Describe functionality of both the SDX and ABC systems, daily use, patient complexities, machine limitations and challenges.
• Discuss patient coaching techniques, minimum thresholds, and patient and therapist buy in.
• Identify time requirements for each system in simulation and treatment, including variables.
• Discuss lessons learned for maximum patient comfort and reproducibility.

Biology-guided radiotherapy treatment offers a new paradigm for image guidance in radiotherapy. Traditional image-guidance systems use surrogate markers or soft-tissue visualization of the target prior to treatment. With BgRT, there is a potential to use positron emission tomography imaging to track and target the tumor at treatment. By injecting PET tracers into the patient directly before treatment, detection of tracer uptake by the tumor allows for localization of the target for treatment. Stanford University School of Medicine’s department of radiation oncology completed installation and commissioning of the RefleXion X1, a BgRT delivery system, in early 2021. The RefleXion X1 system includes an onboard kilovolt cone beam computed tomography with a 6 MV flattening filter free ring-based gantry. Integrated into the machine is an onboard PET imaging system allowing for BgRT treatment. At Stanford hospital, the system is currently being used for intensity-modulated radiation therapy and stereotactic body radiation therapy treatments, and the BgRT-based treatment is under development. This course will cover the implementation of the system, present studies based on plans generated from the RefleXion X1 treatment planning system and review the principles of BgRT planning and treatment.

Daniel Pham, Ph.D., R.T.(T), CMD

Objectives

• Discuss the machine characteristics of the RefleXion X1 system and see how it differs from a traditional linear accelerator.
• Explore the limitations and advantages of the RefleXion X1 system.
• Provide examples of the clinical implementation of the RefleXion X1 system.
• Describe the principles of BgRT treatment.

To be active participants in medical decision-making, patients must understand, evaluate and retain a wide range of increasingly complex materials. Accessible online information has caused a shift toward video and interactive tools. This course will review a process improvement study’s use of modern educational methods to present complex treatment options for patients who are considering radiation therapy for prostate cancer.

Jana Koth, M.P.H., R.T.(R)(T)

Lisa Bartenhagen, M.S., R.T.(R)(T)

Objectives

• Define process improvement.
• Identify strategies to improve the patient experience.
• Recognize the relationship between patient satisfaction and health outcomes.

Leadership in the ever-changing radiation oncology profession requires continuous adaptation on the climb to the pinnacle of excellence. Leaders are accountable for their personal actions and also the actions of their team. This course will look at some of the challenges leaders face and how leaders can ignite their desire to face obstacles head on and not simply look for an easier route. Attendees will learn solutions to challenging resource constraints like insufficient time, money and staff and will discover ways to set expectations, while maintaining professional and personal boundaries. The course will also explore how to build and maintain a sustainable team without micromanaging.

Katherine Schlewinsky, R.T.(R)(T)(CT)

Objectives

• Discuss leading a team without micromanaging.
• Explore how to improve boundaries and set expectations as a team leader.
• Identify ways to create and cultivate a sustainable team that enjoys their work environment.