Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) is the lead partner in the assessment of the digital skills of Therapeutic Radiographers/Radiation Therapists (TR/RTTs) needed to practice the profession. It is recommended that these skills should be included in their training and is an output of work package 7 (WP7) of the SAFE EUROPE project.
The SAFE EUROPE consortium had 7 partners geographically distributed across Europe: Ulster University (UK) as the project coordinator; Associação Portuguesa de Radioterapeutas (ART), Portugal; Society of Medical Radiographers (SRM), Malta; Polskiego Towarzystwa Elektroradiologii (PTE), Poland; European Federation of Radiographer Societies (EFRS), Holland; University of Malta, Malta; and Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Portugal.
IPO Porto is a highly differentiated organisation belonging to the National Health System and providing specialised care. IPO Porto is a national and international reference health institution in oncological treatment, research and education.
The SAFE EUROPE project developed a collaboration between the Radiotherapy department and Porto’s Portuguese School of Oncology (EPOP). EPOP provides quality education and the professional integration of their students and professionals in the areas of Oncology. It also promotes Professional Traineeships, as well as cooperating and organizing events, seminars, and workshops.
The project consisted of 12 WPs, in which WP7 focused on identifying the gaps between the digital skills required by the TR/RTT to perform their duties, compared to the educational training provided across Europe. Particular focus was placed on the training required to deliver radiation to patients suffering from malignant diseases, because the technology, software and skills required are constantly changing. This will further promote the adoption of best practices across the EU in a key area of healthcare. In addition, online modules were developed to address the 'skills gap' that currently exists and enable TR/RTT to increase their knowledge base in line with other European countries.
Recommendations for skills to be developed by educational programmes have been published to facilitate the mobility of TR/RTTs across the EU. Standardised training would not only increase employability and knowledge transfer but also limit personnel shortages in areas with low numbers of radiography graduates, as well as avoid compromising patient safety and improve care for the EU population.
