Course Description
Best methods of treating various disease sites with single or multiple field arrangements using x-rays and or electrons were discussed.
Assessments & Activities
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Course Discussions
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Students were assessed and graded on their performance and participation in weekly discussions, quizzes, treatment planning project, and e-portfolio contributions. Every week there were assigned readings and power point presentations to review.
For the treatment planning project, students created, compared, and discussed 2 lung plans, one with heterogeneity correction factors and one without heterogeneity correction factors. This project served to gain a better understanding of how heterogeneity correction factors affect treatment plans. Please follow the link below to view my treatment planning project. Treatment Planning Project |
Throughout this 6 week course, we were required to answer a specific question or discuss a provided topic. Our responses had to be written in the American Medical Association (AMA) format with a minimum of 200-250 words and reference at least one or two scholarly sources. To promote analytical discussions, we were required to respond to at least one classmate's posts.
Please follow the links below to read my discussion posts. Week 1: Dose Prescription to the PTV Week 2: Inhomogeneity Corrections Week 3: Shielding Week 4: DVH Week 5: Algorithms Week 6: Terminology |
Self Reflection
At the completion of every course students are asked to reflect on a series of questions that focused on their knowledge gained, skills, areas of opportunity, and overall thoughts about the course.
The new knowledge and skills I gained during this course were...
Although much of what was presented in the course was review of what was taught in my radiation therapy program at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), I gained a stronger understanding of basic treatment planning concept, including 3D planning, IMRT and VMAT techniques, and beam modifications, and expanded my medical dosimetry vocabulary.
The new knowledge and skills will benefit me...
This class has provided a wealth of tools and skills that I will utilize when completing treatment plans now and throughout my dosimetry career. It is important to know why a certain technique is being used for certain cases and what modifications can be done to achieve an optimal plan and I feel that this course has given me the ability to do this.
I struggle with...
Learning the different algorithms used by the treatment planning systems was a struggle for me. Although I understand the "big picture" for different algorithms, remembering the details was challenging. I plan to continue to discuss them with the dosimetrists and physicists at my internship site and review them on my own to gain more confidence.
I feel pretty good about...
I feel that I have a deep understanding of how certain things will affect the isodose distributions and the overall treatment plan, including wedges, heterogeneity correction factors, different density interfaces, weighting, and different beam energies.
Other reflective thoughts...
This course presented the foundation of treatment planning concepts, techniques, and skill, all of which are necessary to be a successful dosimetrist. Although there was a lot of information, this course was well organized and moved at a good pace.
The new knowledge and skills I gained during this course were...
Although much of what was presented in the course was review of what was taught in my radiation therapy program at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), I gained a stronger understanding of basic treatment planning concept, including 3D planning, IMRT and VMAT techniques, and beam modifications, and expanded my medical dosimetry vocabulary.
The new knowledge and skills will benefit me...
This class has provided a wealth of tools and skills that I will utilize when completing treatment plans now and throughout my dosimetry career. It is important to know why a certain technique is being used for certain cases and what modifications can be done to achieve an optimal plan and I feel that this course has given me the ability to do this.
I struggle with...
Learning the different algorithms used by the treatment planning systems was a struggle for me. Although I understand the "big picture" for different algorithms, remembering the details was challenging. I plan to continue to discuss them with the dosimetrists and physicists at my internship site and review them on my own to gain more confidence.
I feel pretty good about...
I feel that I have a deep understanding of how certain things will affect the isodose distributions and the overall treatment plan, including wedges, heterogeneity correction factors, different density interfaces, weighting, and different beam energies.
Other reflective thoughts...
This course presented the foundation of treatment planning concepts, techniques, and skill, all of which are necessary to be a successful dosimetrist. Although there was a lot of information, this course was well organized and moved at a good pace.