Stecklein Shane R, Taniguchi Cullen M, Melancon Adam D, Lombe Dorothy, Lishimpi Kennedy, Banda Lewis, Mwaba Catherine, Pupwe George, Mwale Maurice, Munkupa Harry, Kanduza Mulape, Mule Barbara, Mwale Augustine, Court Laurence, Ohrt Jared D, Kupferman Michael E, Jhingran Anuja, Msadabwe-Chikuni Susan Citonje
Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS.
The University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, KS.
JCO Glob Oncol. 2020 Oct;6:1631-1638. doi: 10.1200/GO.20.00350.
Formal education in the radiation sciences is critical for the safe and effective delivery of radiotherapy. Practices and patterns of radiation sciences education and trainee performance in the radiation sciences are poorly described. This study assesses the current state of radiation sciences education in Africa and evaluates a high-yield, on-site educational program in radiation biology and radiation physics for oncology and radiation therapy trainees in Africa.
An anonymous survey was distributed to members of the African Organization for Research and Treatment in Cancer Training Interest Group to assess current attitudes and practices toward radiation sciences education. A 2-week, on-site educational course in radiation biology and radiation physics was conducted at the Cancer Diseases Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. Pre- and postcourse assessments in both disciplines were administered to gauge the effectiveness of an intensive high-yield course in the radiation sciences.
Significant deficiencies were identified in radiation sciences education, especially in radiation biology. Lack of expert instructors in radiation biology was reported by half of all respondents and was the major contributing factor to deficient education in the radiation sciences. The educational course resulted in marked improvements in radiation biology assessment scores (median pre- and posttest scores, 27% and 55%, respectively; < .0001) and radiation physics assessment scores (median pre- and posttest scores, 30% and 57.5%, respectively; < .0001).
Radiation sciences education in African oncology training programs is inadequate. International collaboration between expert radiation biology and radiation physics instructors can address this educational deficiency and improve trainee competence in the foundational radiation sciences that is critical for the safe and effective delivery of radiotherapy.
放射科学方面的正规教育对于安全、有效地进行放射治疗至关重要。放射科学教育的实践和模式以及放射科学学员的表现鲜有描述。本研究评估了非洲放射科学教育的现状，并评估了一项针对非洲肿瘤学和放射治疗学员的辐射生物学和放射物理学高产现场教育项目。
向非洲癌症研究与治疗组织培训兴趣小组的成员发放了一份匿名调查问卷，以评估目前对放射科学教育的态度和实践。在赞比亚卢萨卡的癌症疾病医院举办了为期两周的辐射生物学和放射物理学现场教育课程。对这两个学科进行课前和课后评估，以衡量放射科学强化高产课程的效果。
放射科学教育存在重大缺陷，尤其是在辐射生物学方面。一半的受访者表示缺乏辐射生物学方面的专家讲师，这是放射科学教育不足的主要因素。该教育课程使辐射生物学评估成绩（课前和课后中位数成绩分别为27%和55%；<.0001）和放射物理学评估成绩（课前和课后中位数成绩分别为30%和57.5%；<.0001）有了显著提高。
非洲肿瘤学培训项目中的放射科学教育不足。辐射生物学和放射物理学专家讲师之间的国际合作可以解决这一教育缺陷，并提高学员在基础放射科学方面的能力，这对于安全、有效地进行放射治疗至关重要。
