Patient Care Training in Radiation Therapy.

Purpose To analyze research on patient care training for radiation therapists and determine the topics related to patient care, methods of training delivery, and outcomes of those trainings. Methods Journal articles were chosen using guidelines for the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. Peer-reviewed articles in English that implemented strategies to train radiation therapists and radiation therapy students on patient care principles were included in the review. Literature retrieved from search results were uploaded to Covidence, an internet-based systematic review management program, and collaborators reviewed abstracts and full-text articles during the study selection process. Charting methods included the authors, year of publication, country of origin, aims, methodology, educational approach, length of training, patient care category, audience, and outcomes. Results After searching 1479 citations and 145 full-text articles, 20 articles met the inclusion criteria of being patient care training programs for the radiation therapist or radiation therapy student. Among the 20 articles, 19 addressed the patient care category of interpersonal communication. Most trainings were delivered by lecture or didactic method and role play. Most of the reviewed training programs proved effective by their measured outcomes. Forty-five percent of studies did not clearly define the length of the training intervals for sufficient evaluation. Given the variety of topics covered by the patient care trainings, drawing summary conclusions from these data is difficult. Discussion The role of the radiation therapist is rooted in patient care. Although the American Society of Radiologic Technologists recognizes patient care as imperative and defines patient care as a key content category in the credentialing exam content specification, the standardization of patient care training is not present in radiation therapy education programs or across the profession. Patient care teaching methods must be evaluated to determine whether they are effective or if they could be improved. Conclusions This scoping review has identified that there is a substantial gap in the literature investigating the effectiveness of patient care training for radiation therapists. Future research is needed to determine whether this essential skill is attained and the teaching methods delivering these trainings are of high quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]