Image Registration and Verification Workshop: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Image guided radiation therapy is essential to ensure complex treatment plans are delivered safely. Residents in radiation oncology have little to no structured training on how to order or evaluate patient setup imaging. We created a joint image verification workshop for medical and physics residents to learn about setup imaging options available, understand information needed to review patient setup, practice image review, and promote interprofessional collaboration during training. The workshop consisted of a didactic session and a hands-on portion for practice with setup images from example patients. Residents completed pre- and postsurveys where each rated their ability on a 10-point scale to (1) assess the appropriateness of an imaging modality for a given treatment and (2) independently check verification images. The workshop was given twice. Nine residents participated in 2018 and 7 again in 2019, along with 2 new residents. Participant scores were paired for analysis. First-time participants had a significant improvement in both areas (1-tailed t test, α = 0.05): meanA:6.27 vs 7.27, P =.029, meanB:5.36 vs 7.18, P =.003. Between workshops (2-tailed t test, α = 0.05), repeat participants had a small increase in self-confidence for assessing the appropriateness of imaging (7.14 vs 7.64, P =.038), whereas comfort with independently checking films decreased (7.29 vs 6.00, P =.022). Postworkshop results (1-tailed t test, α = 0.05) were statistically equivalent for both workshops. A formal interprofessional image verification workshop provides valuable resident education, but repeat exposures are necessary to maintain skills.