A Multidisciplinary Evaluation of a Web-based eLearning Training Programme for SAFRON II (TROG 13.01): a Multicentre Randomised Study of Stereotactic Radiotherapy for Lung Metastases.
In technically advanced multicentre clinical trials, participating centres can benefit from a credentialing programme before participating in the trial. Education of staff in participating centres is an important aspect of a successful clinical trial. In the multicentre study of fractionated versus single fraction stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy in lung oligometastases (TROG 13.01), knowledge transfer of stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy techniques to the local multidisciplinary team is intended as part of the credentialing process. In this study, a web-based learning platform was developed to provide education and training for the multidisciplinary trial teams at geographically distinct sites.



A web-based platform using eLearning software consisting of seven training modules was developed. These modules were based on extracranial stereotactic theory covering the following discrete modules: Clinical background; Planning technique and evaluation; Planning optimisation; Four-dimensional computed tomography simulation; Patient-specific quality assurance; Cone beam computed tomography and image guidance; Contouring organs at risk. Radiation oncologists, medical physicists and radiation therapists from hospitals in Australia and New Zealand were invited to participate in this study. Each discipline was enrolled into a subset of modules (core modules) and was evaluated before and after completing each module. The effectiveness of the eLearning training will be evaluated based on (i) knowledge retention after participation in the web-based training and (ii) confidence evaluation after participation in the training. Evaluation consisted of a knowledge test and confidence evaluation using a Likert scale.



In total, 130 participants were enrolled into the eLearning programme: 81 radiation therapists (62.3%), 27 medical physicists (20.8%) and 22 radiation oncologists (16.9%). There was an average absolute improvement of 14% in test score (P < 0.001) after learning. This score improvement compared with initial testing was also observed in the long-term testing (>4 weeks) after completing the modules (P < 0.001). For most there was significant increase in confidence (P < 0.001) after completing all the modules.
Department of Medical Imaging and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address: danieljpham@gmail.com.
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Pham
Department of Radiation Oncology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
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Hardcastle
Department of Radiation Oncology, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia; Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
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Foroudi
Department of Physical Sciences, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
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Kron
Department of Biostatistics and Clinical Trials, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia.
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Bressel
Department of Radiation Oncology, WP Holman Clinic, Hobart, Australia.
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Hilder
Department of Radiotherapy Services, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia.
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Chesson
Department of Radiotherapy Services, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia.
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Oates
Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology Group, Newcastle, Australia.
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Montgomery
Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Division of Radiation Oncology and Cancer Imaging, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia.
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Ball
Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Division of Radiation Oncology and Cancer Imaging, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia.
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Siva
D001315:Australia; D056973:Four-Dimensional Computed Tomography; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000532:radiotherapy; D009520:New Zealand; D018787:Radiation Oncology / Q000193:education*; D016634:Radiosurgery / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D012984:Software
Clinical Trials; eLearning; image-guided radiotherapy; stereotactic radiotherapy