Joint ABS/GEC-ESTRO Consensus Statement on the objectives of training in brachytherapy for physicians

Brachytherapy is an essential skill in the practice of radiation oncology and is an important component of high-quality, full-service radiation oncology departments. With rapidly changing technology, the role of brachytherapy is constantly evolving, but it remains critically important for optimal patient care in several disease sites. As a procedural aspect of radiation oncology practice, brachytherapy requires a fundamentally different and more focused training approach, with specific training objectives, a unique knowledge base, and specialized training environment. The existing gap in brachytherapy training and experience is compounded with a lack of standardized training objectives. Consensus statement objectives were in part adapted with permission from the Royal College of Physician and Surgeons of Canada, and then further reviewed, modified and enriched with expert knowledge by all authors. Training objectives were further synchronized with the US Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). This ABS/GEC-ESTRO Consensus Statement of training objectives will facilitate brachytherapy training by outlining the necessary knowledge and procedural skills for successful practice in brachytherapy. The final brachytherapy curriculum development for any individual program, country and regions, is the responsibility of the individual programs and licensing jurisdictions and should be tailored to their patient population, available equipment and facilities.