S2836
RTT - RTT education, training, and advanced practice
ESTRO 2026
defined roles and require advanced technical and clinical competencies. These findings provide a clear foundation to guide the design of modern training programs that align with current practice realities and support RTTs in delivering high-quality radiotherapy. Keywords: Radiation therapists, professional practice References: Karina Ochandorena, Ericka Céspedes, Adriana Cortés, Alan Martinez, Yudy Sterling, Elke Pastor, Andrés Ferrer, Jorge Luis Alonso, Manuel León, Dionisio Méndez, Alexandra Arévalo, Guillermo Maciel, Doris Millán, Lisbeth Cordero, Catalina Acevedo, Federico Lorenzo, Benjamin Li. The training of Radiation Therapists in Latin America. Radiotherapy and Oncology, Volume 206, Supplement 1, 2025, Pages S4258-S4262, ISSN 0167- 8140, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-8140(25)01496-3. Assessing RTTs’ workplace needs: tailoring a new Advanced Practice Radiation Therapist (APRT) role for complex radiotherapy settings Nicola Iosca 1,2 , Andrea Lastrucci 1,2 , Emanuele Baroni 3 , Costanza Gori 4 , Livia Marrazzo 5,6 , Giulio Rossi 2 , Gabriele Simontacchi 2 , Costanza Primi 4 , Yannick Wandael 1 , Laura Belloni 3 , Renzo Ricci 1 , Stefania Pallotta 5,6 , Lorenzo Livi 5,2 1 Department of Allied Health Professions, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy. 2 Radiation Oncology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy. 3 Regional Center for Critical Relathionships, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy. 4 NEUROFARBA (Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Cild Health) Department, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. 5 Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "M. Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy. 6 Medical Physics Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy Purpose/Objective: Working in advanced radiotherapy environments with multiple technologies, high patient complexity, and Poster Discussion 3711 technically challenging procedures, can be highly demanding and stressful for professionals. While the unmet needs of cancer patients are well documented, those of healthcare professionals remain underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the psychological needs of Radiation TherapisTs (RTTs) exploring the potential implementation of an Advanced Practice Radiation Therapist (APRT) role to promote staff empowerment and strengthen RTT engagement in patient-centered care and clinical decision-making processes. Material/Methods: The validated Needs Evaluation Questionnaire for
A total of 450 RTTs from 19 Latin American countries participated: 201 RTTs working in private institutions, 171 in public institutions, 74 in both, and 4 in others. Most (83.3%) worked at a single institution. Shift lengths were 8+ hours (53.7%), 6-7 hours (31.1%), or 4- 5 hours (15.2%) with typically 2-3 RTTs per machine (74.4%) and rarely 1 person alone (2.0%). Most RTTs had roles related to treatment delivery (95.8%) and simulation (87.1%) (Figures 1-2), and also contributed to patient education (41.3%), treatment planning (29.1%), quality assurance (26.9%), and clinical coordination (15.3%). Among those involved in treatment planning (n = 131), 113 (86.3%) contoured organs at risk or targets, 95 (72.5%) performed patient specific quality assurance, and 68 (51.9%) performed dosimetry. Notably, 56 used artificial intelligence for their contouring and 13 for dosimetry. Additionally, 176 (48.7%) of RTTs participated in equipment selection. RTTs assisted in delivering intensity modulated radiotherapy (86.4%), volumetric modulated arc therapy (74.0%), 3D-conformal radiotherapy (85.3%), stereotactic body radiotherapy (45.8%), stereotactic radiosurgery (31.6%), and brachytherapy (43.1%). 2D radiotherapy (33.1%) and orthovoltage (superficial) radiotherapy (24.7%) were less common. Regarding scope of practice, 194 (43.1%) reported performing tasks outside formally defined roles, and 275 (61.1%) wished to expand their scope.Figure 1. Count of responsibilities performed by RTTs in their daily professional practice during treatment delivery
Figure 2. Count of responsibilities performed by RTTs in their daily professional practice during patient simulation
Conclusion: RTTs in Latin America are routinely performing responsibilities that extend beyond traditionally
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