Development of a Curriculum for the Implementation of Stereotactic Radiation Therapy Programs in Middle-Income Countries

Abstract

PURPOSEThe aim of this work was to develop a curriculum to be used in the implementation of stereotactic radiation therapy programs in middle-income countries. The curriculum needed to be scalable and flexible to be easily adapted to local situations.METHODSThe curriculum was developed through a partnership between multidisciplinary teams from established clinics in both middle-income and high-income countries. The curriculum development followed a nonlinear progression, allowing greater flexibility throughout the process. A blended learning model was used, combining virtual and in-person interactions.RESULTSThe initial training plan was based on a needs assessment provided by the learners and on the experience of the facilitators with stereotactic radiotherapy. The needs assessment was refined during in-person site visits at each institution which highlighted aspects of the training, such as image guidance workflows and technical specifications, that were not previously emphasized in the curriculum. Both teams found that the in-person visits were important for training purposes, but aspects of the curriculum delivery such as treatment planning and patient selection were well suited to virtual platforms. The training addressed all aspects of the stereotactic program, from patient selection to treatment, and included a review of both technical and clinical workflows.CONCLUSIONThe inclusion of contributions from both teams ensured that the curriculum covered the required elements of the stereotactic program implementation, met the needs of the learners, and was relevant to local practices. The nonlinear approach to the curriculum development allowed the flexibility to change the focus as the project progressed. The in-person visits were valuable in conducting a thorough needs assessment.