Report of the Thailand Trial of the (RCA) ROMP clinical Training Guide Brian J Thomas Pilot Program Coordinator RAS6038 Also with Queensland University of Technology Queensland University of Technologyand Queensland Health. Australia (IAEA) Regional Cooperative Agreement RAS6038

Role of the Pilot Program Coordinator RAS6038 Advise on applications by member states to participate in a pilot program Review the entry qualifications of applicants for the training programme Review the progress of the Residents and program Consider difficulties encountered and recommend remedial action to be taken Provide advice to the National Programme Coordinator and National Steering Committee Coordinate the assessment of the programme and compile statistics on the programme on an annual basis Promote the sustainability of the national clinical training programme Coordinate the use of external reviewers Consider and deal with issues raised by the external reviewers

Background Information to the Thailand Trial Thailand commenced the trial of the ROMP clinical training program in August 2007 with Thailand commenced the trial of the ROMP clinical training program in August 2007 with Anchali Krisanachinda as the National Program Coordinator Anchali Krisanachinda as the National Program Coordinator 5 Departments involved, and 5 Departments involved, and 13 Residents 13 Residents

Facilities of the 5 participating departments Required by RAS6038 guidelines Dept 1 Dept 2 Dept 3 Dept 4 Dept 5 A teletherapy unit A treatment planning system √√√√√ A simulator (conventional and/or CT) √√√√√ Dosimetry equipment √√√√√ Brachytherapy√√√√√ Medical imaging facilities √√√√√

Particular features of Thailand trial 2 or 3 Residents in each participating department 2 or 3 Residents in each participating department 4 of the departments are in Bangkok 4 of the departments are in Bangkok 1 is more remote 1 is more remote

Report of the Thailand Trial Progress/experiences in the first six months Progress/experiences in the first six months lessons learnt lessons learnt the future the future

Some of the significant progress made in the first 6 months Formal agreement with the National Responsible Authority. The Secretary General of the Office of Atoms for Peace of Thailand agreed to set up a Sub-Committee of the Atoms in Medical Applications – Medical Physics Competency Training. This Sub-Committee will be the ROMP National Steering Committee. The Secretary General of the Office of Atoms for Peace of Thailand agreed to set up a Sub-Committee of the Atoms in Medical Applications – Medical Physics Competency Training. This Sub-Committee will be the ROMP National Steering Committee. The RCA (ROMP clinical training) Syllabus and Course Description will be submitted for the Higher Graduate Diploma of Clinical Science Program in Medical Physics of Chulalongkorn University in Clinical coordinators have met on 5 occasions. The National Program Coordinator has been active and met with each Resident at least once in the last six months and has ensured that “learning agreements” are being developed and competencies “signed-off” by clinical coordinators.

Progress cont’d The level of competency required for each sub-module has been established and the information disseminated to all Residents and their clinical coordinators. All Residents were assessed as making satisfactory progress and on track to complete their training on time. Residents are developing a portfolio in keeping with recommendations. Most Residents have made presentations at relevant meetings and are involved in research projects.

Positive comments from Residents Residents noted the positive experience of being in the program especially in that it assisted their learning. positive outcomes of interaction with other Residents/Institutions. learning so much from many clinical supervisors and institutions the opportunity for sharing knowledge and experience in this field. improved knowledge from learning and sharing of work experiences or techniques that are different in each hospital

Positive Comments from Clinical Coordinators training program as part of routine work resulted in training program as part of routine work resulted in many more activities being performed. many more activities being performed. the resident gaining more experiences. the resident gaining more experiences.

Some concerns/difficulties Some centres, with a limited number of experienced physicists and heavy workload experienced difficulties progressing the training program experienced difficulties progressing the training program had limited time available for discussions between the clinical supervisor and the resident. had limited time available for discussions between the clinical supervisor and the resident. Some centres unfamiliar with arranging training required assistance with organisation of ROMP clinical training. Regional Residents experience difficulties in interacting with peers and attending meetings/workshops in Bangkok. Training may be slow in those areas not directly related to the Resident’s routine work Difficulties due to poor time management (Resident)

Future trials Proper trialling of the RAS6038 clinical training program requires involvement of nations with different levels of Proper trialling of the RAS6038 clinical training program requires involvement of nations with different levels of facilities, facilities, staffing staffing and different distribution of and different distribution of Departments (Thailand: 4 in Bangkok. 1 more remote) Departments (Thailand: 4 in Bangkok. 1 more remote) Residents (Thailand has 2 or 3 Residents in each dept.) Residents (Thailand has 2 or 3 Residents in each dept.)

Thank you Any comments or questions?