Improving the quality of optimisation studies undertaken in mammography and general radiology using high level blended teaching

Abstract

The EU funded project EUtempe-RX to develop 12 modules for training of medical physics experts (MPEs) in diagnostic and interventional radiology. Each course module provided 80 h of blended learning (a mixture of online and face-to-face training). The effectiveness of high-level blended learning for training MPEs up to EQF level 8 was tested on optimisation in mammography and general radiology. The training methods were evaluated using a questionnaire (89% response rate) and reviewing participants’ proposed optimisation studies. The online training was the most highly rated part of the module. The participants produced a wide range of feasible and interesting optimisation proposals. All questionnaire responders intend to undertake their study. Overall, the proposals showed a good understanding of the process of optimisation, but some showed weaknesses in applying the results clinically. The blended learning approach showed potential for training MPEs to undertake successful optimisation projects.