Objectives of this study:1.Investigate the competencies developed in European undergraduate curricula and highlight the gaps in competencies developed across courses in Europe;2.Determine the essential competencies for radiographers from literature and surveys/interviews to stakeholders (i.e. radiographers, heads of service/HEIs/professional bodies and service users);3.Identify gaps in specific skills deemed very relevant for the TR;4.Identify the skills gap among radiography professionals across Europe;5.Offer online educational actions to close these gaps and ensure that the TR are educated with the necessary skills to enable them to practise across the whole of Europe;6.Disseminate the results and online teaching tools to ensure a maximised exploitation of this project.Long term outcomes:1.Improvement of employment rates for TRs;2.More efficient movement of TRs across Europe;3.Improved safety for patients treated by TRs;4.Improved efficiency of radiotherapy treatments;5.Improved radiotherapy treatments;6.Evidence-based regulation of TR profession;7.Extending and developing TR competencies for the future development of the profession.The work is distributed across 12 work packages (WP) and results obtained to date are as follows:WP 1&2: A website has been established to help manage the project and disseminate information, In addition various accounts have been set up on social media platforms e.g. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. An initial face to face meeting was held in the UK in February 2019, monthly consortium skype meetings have been held throughout and the first steering meeting was held in Malta, February 2020 to coincide with the Internal Conference. Quality assurance (QA) of the project has been maintained throughout.WP3: A survey has been completed investigating the competencies for TRs administering radiotherapy. A list of competencies essential to the graduate was designed and published on the consortium's website. A manuscript on the results of this WP is in press. This work was also presented at the International Conference on Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy (7th-9th Feb 2020; Malta). A Webinar lecture plan has been completed on underdeveloped skills of the linear accelerator TR. WP4: Research is nearly completed investigating the perceptions of European stakeholders on TR competencies required. Qualitative data analysis is in progress. The results will be presented at the next educational event organised by the consortium in Poland.WP5: A literature review on service users' perceptions across AHP professions is ongoing. We are awaiting ethical approval to start gathering data on patients' perceptions of TRs' competencies.WP6: The literature review investigating the importance and applicability of circular economy in radiotherapy and relevant aspects to include in therapy radiographers' education is underway. WP7: Data collection (surveys) investigating the Digital Skill requirements for TRs is in progress across Europe and has been completed in one centre. The questionnaire is currently being translated into English to disseminate across Europe. A peer reviewed paper is in progress.WP8: A systematic literature review investigating Advanced Practice for TRs is underway. Joint objectives for the WP have been agreed and a detailed work plan is being implemented. WP9: Results have been disseminated at the International Conference on Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy (7th-9th Feb 2020; Malta). Project updates from WP3 and WP7 were presented by G. Couto, S. McFadden, B. Barbosa and D. Gonçalves. Results of the project were also presented in other scientific events such as ECR 2019 (Vienna, March 2019), the 2nd International Congress of Health Workforce Education and Research (Nicosia, May 2019) and CNART 2019 (Lisbon, Nov 2019).WP10-12: These WP are at discussion stage and have not yet commenced as they are dependent on results of previous WPs.
1. To investigate the competencies developed in TR European undergraduate curricula and highlight the gaps across courses in Europe.2. Determine the essential competencies for radiographers from literature reviews and surveys/interviews with all relevant stakeholders.3. Identify gaps in specific skills deemed essential for TRs4. Identify the skills gap among TRs across Europe5. Offer online educational actions to close these gaps 6. Disseminate the results and online teaching tools
Great variation exists in the education of therapy radiographers (TR)/radiation therapists (RTT) across Europe. This leads to different skills/competencies among staff across member states and hinders mobility of professionals compromising patient safety. There is a need for more standardised training programmes for TR across the EU. The SAFE EUROPE project was set as an international collaboration to investigate this area, highlight gaps in skills/knowledge and offer educational solutions.
<< Background >> Great variation exists in the education of therapy radiographers (TR)/radiation therapists (RTT) across Europe. This leads to different skills/competencies among staff across member states and hinders mobility of professionals compromising patient safety. There is a need for more standardised training programmes for TR across the EU. The SAFE EUROPE project was set as an international collaboration to investigate this area, highlight gaps in skills/knowledge and offer educational solutions. << Objectives >> 1. To investigate the competencies developed in TR European undergraduate curricula and highlight the gaps across courses in Europe.2. Determine the essential competencies for radiographers from literature reviews and surveys/interviews with all relevant stakeholders.3. Identify gaps in specific skills deemed essential for TRs4. Identify the skills gap among TRs across Europe5. Offer online educational actions to close these gaps 6. Disseminate the results and online teaching tools << Implementation >> The project had 12 work packages (WP) with 7 partners across Europe. Ulster University (UK) as the lead partner, University of Malta, 3 National professional associations -Associação Portuguesa de Radioterapeutas (ART), Portugal; -Society of Medical Radiographers (SRM), Malta; Polskiego Towarzystwa Elektroradiologii (PTE) Poland. 1 European federation -European Federation of Radiographer Societies (EFRS), Holland and 1 public hospital Instituto Portugues de Oncologia Porto (IPOP), Portugal. << Results >> 1. A list of TR/RTT competencies based on a review of the literature and curricula.2. Results of surveys and interviews on TR/RTT competencies in Europe 3. A report on the service users' perceptions of TR/RTT competencies in Europe 5. A report exploring TR/RTT knowledge and skills of circular economy 6. Data detailing the digital skills needs of TR/RTT 7. A systematic review of the competency requirements for TR/RTT advanced practice 8. Webinars were developed and delivered free online