title: Staying up-to-date through distance education: the radiation therapy perspective.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Distance education (DE) courses are offered to medical radiation technologists (therapy) [MRT(T)] in Canada for professional development (PD).
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey of 300 therapists was conducted to identify potential participants and factors that can influence DE participation and learning.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The motivation to take PD is intrinsic, for personal growth and fulfillment, rather than to satisfy employment or provincial requirements. There is interest in DE because of its accessibility. Work constraints appear to be more restrictive than domestic ones and little support for PD is perceived from the cancer centers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings raise implications for professional development in cancer centers that are broader than the original objective of optimizing course design.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. gabrielle.kane@rmp.uhn.on.ca
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Kane
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rothman
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Catton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D003479:Curriculum / Q000592:standards; D004496:Education, Continuing / Q000592:standards*; D020375:Education, Distance / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018787:Radiation Oncology / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D013679:Technology, Radiologic / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards