title: Implementation of IMRT in the radiotherapy department.
abstract: This paper describes the implementation of intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in a radiotherapy department. When preparing to set-up an IMRT programme, it is important to review departmental protocols with regard to immobilization, CT planning, treatment planning and verification. Any additional quality assurance steps also need to be fully understood. A new IMRT programme is most likely to be successful if it builds on established clinical experience with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (CRT). Training of radiographers, clinicians and physicists is critical, and both team-work and communication are vital to ensure a smooth transition from 3DCRT to IMRT delivery in the clinic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiotherapy, Royal Marsden NHS Trust and Institute of Cancer Research, Downs Road, Sutton, Surrey, UK.
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: McNair
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Miles
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Nutting
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D006801:Humans; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D011872:Radiology Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013997:Time Factors