Development of a Curriculum for the Implementation of Stereotactic Radiation Therapy Programs in Middle-Income...

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiation Oncology
• Global Health Education

Background:

• Stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT) programs require specialized training.
• Middle-income countries face unique challenges in implementing advanced cancer treatments.
• A standardized yet adaptable curriculum is crucial for successful SRT program rollout.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a scalable and flexible curriculum for implementing stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT) programs in middle-income countries.
• To ensure the curriculum is adaptable to diverse local contexts and needs.

Main Methods:

• Collaborative development by multidisciplinary teams from middle-income and high-income countries.
• Utilized a nonlinear curriculum development process for flexibility.
• Employed a blended learning model combining virtual and in-person interactions.

Main Results:

• Needs assessments, refined through in-person site visits, identified key training aspects like image guidance and technical specifications.
• Virtual platforms proved effective for treatment planning and patient selection components.
• The curriculum comprehensively covered SRT from patient selection to treatment, including technical and clinical workflows.

Conclusions:

• Collaborative input ensured the curriculum's relevance, learner-centricity, and alignment with local practices.
• The nonlinear approach facilitated adaptive curriculum adjustments.
• In-person visits were vital for accurate needs assessment and curriculum refinement.