S2823
RTT - RTT education, training, and advanced practice
ESTRO 2026
students and clinical educators to ensure clarity and relevance. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative responses underwent thematic analysis. Results: Nineteen radiation therapy students participated, 89% (n=17) of whom were female. While 78% (n=15) acknowledged that discussing sexual health falls within their professional role, 68% (n=13) reported no clinical experience in doing so. Over half (58%, n=11) rated their knowledge as moderate, yet 52% (n=10) had received no formal education on the topic. Reported barriers included personal or cultural discomfort (63%, n=12), time constraints (63%, n=12), and perceived patient reluctance (63%, n=12). Qualitative responses strongly supported the need for enhanced sexual health education, with students recommending workshops and communication skills training. Conclusion: Despite recognising the importance of addressing sexual health in clinical practice, radiation therapy students feel underprepared due to limited education and lack of clinical exposure. These findings highlight a gap in current training programs and underscore the need for targeted educational interventions to support holistic, patient-centred care in gynaecological cancer settings. Keywords: knowledge, communication, student confidence References: Fischer OJ, Marguerie M, Brotto LA. Sexual Function, Quality of Life, and Experiences of Women with Ovarian Cancer: A Mixed-Methods Study. Sex Med. 2019 Dec;7(4):530-539. doi: 10.1016/j.esxm.2019.07.005. Epub 2019 Sep 7. Maree J, Fitch MI. Holding conversations with cancer patients about sexuality: Perspectives from Canadian and African healthcare professionals. Can Oncol Nurs J. 2019 Feb 1;29(1):64-69.Gessler, S., King, M., Lemma, A. et al. Stepped approach to improving sexual function after gynaecological cancer: the SAFFRON feasibility RCT. Health technology assessment (Winchester, England), 2019. 23(6), 1– 92. https://doi.org/10.3310/hta23060
patients with comorbid dementia, they faced significant barriers in providing optimal care. These obstacles mainly arose from gaps in dementia-specific training and a notable lack of institutional guidelines, which together hampered the ability to offer tailored support for this vulnerable patient population. Therefore, integrating comprehensive dementia- focused education into RTT training programmes is urgently needed. Moreover, establishing an Advanced Practice RTT role specialising in geriatric oncology could address current training deficits and improve service delivery. The implementation of institutional guidelines is also essential to ensure consistent, patient-centered care. Keywords: Dementia-sensitive Person centered care Digital Poster 1526 Assessing the knowledge and experience of radiation therapy students providing sexual health information to patients with gynaecological cancer. Aine O' Brien 1 , Annemarie Devine 1 , Andrew England 1 , Mark McEntee 1 , Aisling Barry 1,2 , Theresa O' Donovan 1 1 Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, School of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland. 2 CancerResearch@UCC, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland Purpose/Objective: Sexual health represents a vital component of care for women undergoing treatment for gynaecological cancers. Despite its significance, this aspect of care is often under-addressed (1). Although its impact on quality of life is well-documented, healthcare professionals—including radiation therapists— frequently encounter challenges initiating discussions around sexual health. These challenges stem from barriers such as limited time, personal discomfort, and feelings of embarrassment (2,3). This study explores the knowledge, confidence, and experience of radiation therapy students in delivering sexual health information to patients receiving radiotherapy for gynaecological malignancies. Material/Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was administered via Qualtrics between January 31 and March 5, 2025, targeting radiation therapy students who had completed at least one clinical placement. The 26-item survey included multiple-choice, Likert-scale (strongly agree to strongly disagree), and open-ended questions to assess students’ knowledge of sexual health concerns, comfort levels, perceived barriers, and educational experiences. The survey required approximately 10–15 minutes to complete. Prior to distribution, it was piloted with a small group of
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