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Dongles and Doughnuts! Involving cancer communities in radiotherapy education

Williamson, Keren and Pope, Emma Louise 2011. Dongles and Doughnuts! Involving cancer communities in radiotherapy education. Presented at: HEA Annual Conference 2011, Nottingham, UK, 5-6 July 2011.

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Abstract

Background It is recognised that radiotherapy radiographers need to understand the psychosocial impact of a cancer diagnosis on patients and carers (DoH,2007; HPC,2009; SCoR, 2007). Educationally, this is also supported by the QAA HE benchmark standards for therapeutic radiography (QAA HE, 2001). At Cardiff University we have tried to address this element of training through face-to-face interactions between patients, carers and students in a question and answer session. This format presented challenges in relation to gaining the perspectives of patients from all the radiotherapy centres in Wales. To help overcome these issues we proposed to facilitate web linked interactions at remote sites around Wales. What we did: Patient and carer volunteers were sought with the help of the ‘Involving People’ (NISCHR CRC) network. Volunteers were organised into geographic regions and meetings arranged in locations convenient for the group. Using the technology, the students interacted with two cancer patient / carer communities using a SKYPETM link. Coffee and cake were provided after each session allowing an opportunity for dialogue to ensure that there were no issues that required follow up. Technology: In 2010, the team were awarded a technology grant by the Heat 4 JISCTechDis funding scheme. With this , we were able to purchase the following technology Benefits: Focuses on patient care. Made students more aware of other issues that affect patients not just their reaction to radiotherapy. Provided positive reinforcement that students could take with them into clinical practice. Provided a better understanding of the views of carers which is often overlooked. Web link made it easy to ask questions as it provided natural ‘gaps’ in the conversation. Provided an opportunity to identify issues that affect patients on completion of radiotherapy. Drawbacks: Approach taken by student groups was not always effective. Difficult to know when to step in with follow up questions due to web delay. Onscreen image unclear so could not read body language. Narrow range of diagnoses.

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Poster)
Date Type: Completion
Status: Unpublished
Schools: Healthcare Sciences
Subjects: L Education > L Education (General)
R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0254 Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology (including Cancer)
R Medicine > RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology
Last Modified: 04 Jun 2017 03:59
URI: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/30387

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