Meet a new observer on the RTT committee - PDF Version

Thank you for the invitation to write a few lines for the Radiation Therapist (RTT) corner of the newsletter. Recently I was invited to become an observer on the European SocieTy for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) RTT committee, and I am happy to have the opportunity to introduce myself.

I have been a RTT for 19 years in the radiotherapy department at Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.  For six years I worked as a specialist RTT, and during that time I was a key person in the implementation of daily online image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) at large scale. I supplemented my education with a course in research methodology, and this was followed by a period of three years during which I had the opportunity to become a research nurse/RTT within the radiotherapy department. Collection of data at patient follow-ups was one of the main topics and brought me a lot of experience in this field.

In 2016, I completed a diploma of public health with speciality in education and clinical education. In January 2017, I moved to the Danish Center for Particle Therapy (DCPT) in Aarhus. From the beginning I was one of the key RTTs, preparing and testing all areas covered by the RTT profession in the DCPT. The first patient was treated in January 2019.

As part of my learning programme, I attended the ESTRO course in particle therapy in Baltimore, USA. This was supplemented with one week of observation training. In addition I received training in the application of the new skills required to operate the probeam application. When I had completed my education programme, I played a key role in the start-up phase of the DCPT, preparing guidelines and educational plans. DCPT has now developed a structured two-three-month learning programme for newly hired RTTs.

As proton therapy is a new treatment in Denmark as well as in the rest of Europe, there is a great need to exchange experience with other proton facilities. I am involved in networking with, and attending an annual meeting with, the other European Proton Centres, in the UK, The Netherlands, Germany, Sweden and Norway. I consider networking to be very important and therefore I am involved in formalised networks with Danish specialist RTTs. I am also a part of the planning group that manages the Danish RTT-conference. I think there is a need to exchange experience and to show results of radiotherapy projects in order to develop the RTT profession.

During my career, I have participated in the ESTRO Congress several times, either with poster presentations or as a chairman. Over the last four years I have taken on the liaison role to represent Denmark in the ESTRO National Society. My function has been primarily to pass information between the Danish Nursing Council, the Radiography Council and ESTRO. Through this work I have gained an understanding of the variety of RTTs’ working areas. At national and international level it is important to visualise these many fields of work and highlight the professional interest. I am looking forward to further collaboration with ESTRO. ­­­

  
The Danish Center for Particle Therapy (DCPT) is a national treatment centre that offers radiation treatment with protons for Danish cancer patients. DCPT has been in clinical operation since January 2019.

Annette Schouboe
Registered nurse and radiation therapist
Danish Center for Particle Therapy
Aarhus University Hospital
annescho@rm.dk