Radiation Sciences Education in Africa: An Assessment of Current Training Practices and Evaluation of a High-Yield Course in Radiation Biology and Radiation Physics

Shane R. Stecklein; Cullen M. Taniguchi; Adam D. Melancon; Dorothy Lombe; Kennedy Lishimpi; Lewis Banda; Catherine Mwaba; George Pupwe; Maurice Mwale; Harry Munkupa; Mulape Kanduza; Barbara Mule; Augustine Mwale; Laurence Court; Jared D. Ohrt; Michael E. Kupferman; Anuja Jhingran; Susan Citonje Msadabwe-Chikuni

doi:10.1200/GO.20.00350

Radiation Sciences Education in Africa: An Assessment of Current Training Practices and Evaluation of a High-Yield Course in Radiation Biology and Radiation Physics

Shane R. Stecklein, Cullen M. Taniguchi, Adam D. Melancon, Dorothy Lombe, Kennedy Lishimpi, Lewis Banda, Catherine Mwaba, George Pupwe, Maurice Mwale, Harry Munkupa, Mulape Kanduza, Barbara Mule, Augustine Mwale, Laurence Court, Jared D. Ohrt, Michael E. Kupferman, Anuja Jhingran, Susan Citonje Msadabwe-Chikuni

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

PURPOSE: Formal education in the radiation sciences is critical for the safe and effective delivery of radiotherapy. Practices and patterns of radiation sciences education and trainee performance in the radiation sciences are poorly described. This study assesses the current state of radiation sciences education in Africa and evaluates a high-yield, on-site educational program in radiation biology and radiation physics for oncology and radiation therapy trainees in Africa. METHODS: An anonymous survey was distributed to members of the African Organization for Research and Treatment in Cancer Training Interest Group to assess current attitudes and practices toward radiation sciences education. A 2-week, on-site educational course in radiation biology and radiation physics was conducted at the Cancer Diseases Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. Pre- and postcourse assessments in both disciplines were administered to gauge the effectiveness of an intensive high-yield course in the radiation sciences. RESULTS: Significant deficiencies were identified in radiation sciences education, especially in radiation biology. Lack of expert instructors in radiation biology was reported by half of all respondents and was the major contributing factor to deficient education in the radiation sciences. The educational course resulted in marked improvements in radiation biology assessment scores (median pre- and posttest scores, 27% and 55%, respectively; P < .0001) and radiation physics assessment scores (median pre- and posttest scores, 30% and 57.5%, respectively; P < .0001). CONCLUSION: Radiation sciences education in African oncology training programs is inadequate. International collaboration between expert radiation biology and radiation physics instructors can address this educational deficiency and improve trainee competence in the foundational radiation sciences that is critical for the safe and effective delivery of radiotherapy.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	1631-1638
Number of pages	8
Journal	JCO Global Oncology
Volume	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1200/GO.20.00350
State	Published - Oct 1 2020

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Oncology
Cancer Research

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Stecklein, S. R., Taniguchi, C. M., Melancon, A. D., Lombe, D., Lishimpi, K., Banda, L., Mwaba, C., Pupwe, G., Mwale, M., Munkupa, H., Kanduza, M., Mule, B., Mwale, A., Court, L., Ohrt, J. D., Kupferman, M. E., Jhingran, A., & Msadabwe-Chikuni, S. C. (2020). Radiation Sciences Education in Africa: An Assessment of Current Training Practices and Evaluation of a High-Yield Course in Radiation Biology and Radiation Physics. JCO Global Oncology, 6, 1631-1638. https://doi.org/10.1200/GO.20.00350

Stecklein, SR, Taniguchi, CM, Melancon, AD, Lombe, D, Lishimpi, K, Banda, L, Mwaba, C, Pupwe, G, Mwale, M, Munkupa, H, Kanduza, M, Mule, B, Mwale, A, Court, L , Ohrt, JD, Kupferman, ME, Jhingran, A & Msadabwe-Chikuni, SC 2020, 'Radiation Sciences Education in Africa: An Assessment of Current Training Practices and Evaluation of a High-Yield Course in Radiation Biology and Radiation Physics', JCO Global Oncology, vol. 6, pp. 1631-1638. https://doi.org/10.1200/GO.20.00350

@article{69ed59d2240443e280fbf7bb69a6690f,

title = "Radiation Sciences Education in Africa: An Assessment of Current Training Practices and Evaluation of a High-Yield Course in Radiation Biology and Radiation Physics",

abstract = "PURPOSE: Formal education in the radiation sciences is critical for the safe and effective delivery of radiotherapy. Practices and patterns of radiation sciences education and trainee performance in the radiation sciences are poorly described. This study assesses the current state of radiation sciences education in Africa and evaluates a high-yield, on-site educational program in radiation biology and radiation physics for oncology and radiation therapy trainees in Africa. METHODS: An anonymous survey was distributed to members of the African Organization for Research and Treatment in Cancer Training Interest Group to assess current attitudes and practices toward radiation sciences education. A 2-week, on-site educational course in radiation biology and radiation physics was conducted at the Cancer Diseases Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. Pre- and postcourse assessments in both disciplines were administered to gauge the effectiveness of an intensive high-yield course in the radiation sciences. RESULTS: Significant deficiencies were identified in radiation sciences education, especially in radiation biology. Lack of expert instructors in radiation biology was reported by half of all respondents and was the major contributing factor to deficient education in the radiation sciences. The educational course resulted in marked improvements in radiation biology assessment scores (median pre- and posttest scores, 27% and 55%, respectively; P < .0001) and radiation physics assessment scores (median pre- and posttest scores, 30% and 57.5%, respectively; P < .0001). CONCLUSION: Radiation sciences education in African oncology training programs is inadequate. International collaboration between expert radiation biology and radiation physics instructors can address this educational deficiency and improve trainee competence in the foundational radiation sciences that is critical for the safe and effective delivery of radiotherapy.",

author = "Stecklein, {Shane R.} and Taniguchi, {Cullen M.} and Melancon, {Adam D.} and Dorothy Lombe and Kennedy Lishimpi and Lewis Banda and Catherine Mwaba and George Pupwe and Maurice Mwale and Harry Munkupa and Mulape Kanduza and Barbara Mule and Augustine Mwale and Laurence Court and Ohrt, {Jared D.} and Kupferman, {Michael E.} and Anuja Jhingran and Msadabwe-Chikuni, {Susan Citonje}",

year = "2020",

month = oct,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1200/GO.20.00350",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "6",

pages = "1631--1638",

journal = "JCO Global Oncology",

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publisher = "American Society of Clinical Oncology",

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T1 - Radiation Sciences Education in Africa

T2 - An Assessment of Current Training Practices and Evaluation of a High-Yield Course in Radiation Biology and Radiation Physics

AU - Stecklein, Shane R.

AU - Taniguchi, Cullen M.

AU - Melancon, Adam D.

AU - Lombe, Dorothy

AU - Lishimpi, Kennedy

AU - Banda, Lewis

AU - Mwaba, Catherine

AU - Pupwe, George

AU - Mwale, Maurice

AU - Munkupa, Harry

AU - Kanduza, Mulape

AU - Mule, Barbara

AU - Mwale, Augustine

AU - Court, Laurence

AU - Ohrt, Jared D.

AU - Kupferman, Michael E.

AU - Jhingran, Anuja

AU - Msadabwe-Chikuni, Susan Citonje

PY - 2020/10/1

Y1 - 2020/10/1

N2 - PURPOSE: Formal education in the radiation sciences is critical for the safe and effective delivery of radiotherapy. Practices and patterns of radiation sciences education and trainee performance in the radiation sciences are poorly described. This study assesses the current state of radiation sciences education in Africa and evaluates a high-yield, on-site educational program in radiation biology and radiation physics for oncology and radiation therapy trainees in Africa. METHODS: An anonymous survey was distributed to members of the African Organization for Research and Treatment in Cancer Training Interest Group to assess current attitudes and practices toward radiation sciences education. A 2-week, on-site educational course in radiation biology and radiation physics was conducted at the Cancer Diseases Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. Pre- and postcourse assessments in both disciplines were administered to gauge the effectiveness of an intensive high-yield course in the radiation sciences. RESULTS: Significant deficiencies were identified in radiation sciences education, especially in radiation biology. Lack of expert instructors in radiation biology was reported by half of all respondents and was the major contributing factor to deficient education in the radiation sciences. The educational course resulted in marked improvements in radiation biology assessment scores (median pre- and posttest scores, 27% and 55%, respectively; P < .0001) and radiation physics assessment scores (median pre- and posttest scores, 30% and 57.5%, respectively; P < .0001). CONCLUSION: Radiation sciences education in African oncology training programs is inadequate. International collaboration between expert radiation biology and radiation physics instructors can address this educational deficiency and improve trainee competence in the foundational radiation sciences that is critical for the safe and effective delivery of radiotherapy.

AB - PURPOSE: Formal education in the radiation sciences is critical for the safe and effective delivery of radiotherapy. Practices and patterns of radiation sciences education and trainee performance in the radiation sciences are poorly described. This study assesses the current state of radiation sciences education in Africa and evaluates a high-yield, on-site educational program in radiation biology and radiation physics for oncology and radiation therapy trainees in Africa. METHODS: An anonymous survey was distributed to members of the African Organization for Research and Treatment in Cancer Training Interest Group to assess current attitudes and practices toward radiation sciences education. A 2-week, on-site educational course in radiation biology and radiation physics was conducted at the Cancer Diseases Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. Pre- and postcourse assessments in both disciplines were administered to gauge the effectiveness of an intensive high-yield course in the radiation sciences. RESULTS: Significant deficiencies were identified in radiation sciences education, especially in radiation biology. Lack of expert instructors in radiation biology was reported by half of all respondents and was the major contributing factor to deficient education in the radiation sciences. The educational course resulted in marked improvements in radiation biology assessment scores (median pre- and posttest scores, 27% and 55%, respectively; P < .0001) and radiation physics assessment scores (median pre- and posttest scores, 30% and 57.5%, respectively; P < .0001). CONCLUSION: Radiation sciences education in African oncology training programs is inadequate. International collaboration between expert radiation biology and radiation physics instructors can address this educational deficiency and improve trainee competence in the foundational radiation sciences that is critical for the safe and effective delivery of radiotherapy.

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JO - JCO Global Oncology

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ER -

Radiation Sciences Education in Africa: An Assessment of Current Training Practices and Evaluation of a High-Yield Course in Radiation Biology and Radiation Physics

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