DOS: 523 Treatment Planning in Medical Dosimetry
Course Description
This course covered a wide range of historical and modern dosimetric planning techniques. Each week a new dosimetry topic was discussed from data acquisition and beam modifiers, to electron and photon treatment planning, and SBRT and SRS. The topic of special procedures in radiation therapy were covered such as total body irradiation. There was a weekly discussion topic prompted by the instructor and a class discussion followed.
Course Assessment
Every two weeks during the course a comprehensive quiz was given to test the topics covered those weeks. Students were also asked to voice their understanding of planning heterogeneously verses homogeneously and the effects of both in a written assignment. You can find my assignment here.
Course Discussions:
Here are some of the discussions held in our class and my responses:
Week 1: Prescribing to Planning Target Volumes
Week 2: How does inhomogeneity correction effect treatment plans?
Week 3: Explain what happens in electron interactions that cause an increase in skin surface dose
Week 4: Summarize Dose Volume Histogram interpretations.
Week 5: What computer algorithms are used in your clinic?
Week 6: Volume Expansion, ITV, Set-up Margin vs. Internal Margin
Self-Reflection:
At the end of each course, students are asked to reflect on the class and how it has affected their education and growth.
The new knowledge and skill I gained this class brought forth a deeper explanation of treatment planning goals and why we do somethings the way we do them. All while able to see it happening live in clinic.
The new knowledge and skill will benefit me by being able to use this knowledge to better my planning skills by better understanding what it is I am doing and why I am doing it, not just that I was told to do it this way.
I struggle with the fast-paced setting of the class. It is a lot of information in a short amount of time. It helps that you are applying it on a daily basis as well as studying it but it still is a lot to take in.
I feel pretty good about my level of comprehension in this class. I feel good about the knowledge I have gained throughout this course and have no doubt I will use it every day though out my career.
Other reflective thoughts. This is a class that will be ever evolving as technology advances. It’s important to remember the basics but keep learning. So in essence this class really will never end for us.
Course Description
This course covered a wide range of historical and modern dosimetric planning techniques. Each week a new dosimetry topic was discussed from data acquisition and beam modifiers, to electron and photon treatment planning, and SBRT and SRS. The topic of special procedures in radiation therapy were covered such as total body irradiation. There was a weekly discussion topic prompted by the instructor and a class discussion followed.
Course Assessment
Every two weeks during the course a comprehensive quiz was given to test the topics covered those weeks. Students were also asked to voice their understanding of planning heterogeneously verses homogeneously and the effects of both in a written assignment. You can find my assignment here.
Course Discussions:
Here are some of the discussions held in our class and my responses:
Week 1: Prescribing to Planning Target Volumes
Week 2: How does inhomogeneity correction effect treatment plans?
Week 3: Explain what happens in electron interactions that cause an increase in skin surface dose
Week 4: Summarize Dose Volume Histogram interpretations.
Week 5: What computer algorithms are used in your clinic?
Week 6: Volume Expansion, ITV, Set-up Margin vs. Internal Margin
Self-Reflection:
At the end of each course, students are asked to reflect on the class and how it has affected their education and growth.
The new knowledge and skill I gained this class brought forth a deeper explanation of treatment planning goals and why we do somethings the way we do them. All while able to see it happening live in clinic.
The new knowledge and skill will benefit me by being able to use this knowledge to better my planning skills by better understanding what it is I am doing and why I am doing it, not just that I was told to do it this way.
I struggle with the fast-paced setting of the class. It is a lot of information in a short amount of time. It helps that you are applying it on a daily basis as well as studying it but it still is a lot to take in.
I feel pretty good about my level of comprehension in this class. I feel good about the knowledge I have gained throughout this course and have no doubt I will use it every day though out my career.
Other reflective thoughts. This is a class that will be ever evolving as technology advances. It’s important to remember the basics but keep learning. So in essence this class really will never end for us.