WP7 – Assessment of the digital skills required to practise the profession and to be included in therapy radiographers’ education

In Oncology, RT represents one of the largest areas of technological investment, where a rapid progression that requires new skills and competencies by the health professionals can be seen. The therapy radiographers face new requirements in terms of digital skills, for which they need continuous training throughout their career. These requirements in large scale come from the great quantity of software used by the radiographers in the planning of such tasks as the radiation delivery, treatment unit control and imagological assessment of patients’ treatment which are constantly evolving.

The aim of this work package was to identify the possible gaps in the profile of a terapy radiographer with respect to those digital skills. The results from WP 3 are going to be fed into this project where the competencies developed at European institutions were already identified. In addition, to anticipate future needs in regards to the quick development of new technologies.

On the basis of evidence collection, it is the objective of this work package to make a proposal to address these skills gaps by developing a strategic approach aimed at preventing an occupational skill mismatch that will include a literature review, a multi-national survey and focus-group interviews to stakeholders.

The impact of this work package was evident through the amount of new knowledge that was put forward in regards to such specific areas of the radiographers’ competencies. The findings of this research were published in order to reach the academic community and the stakeholders. As with other WPs, the information was disseminated to regulators and to all stakeholders. An online teaching session was created addressing the digital skills gaps identified.