Resident training in brachytherapy in France: A 10-year update after the first survey of SFJRO members

Abstract

Purpose A previous survey conducted in 2012 showed that 82% of radiation oncology residents felt they were not receiving optimal brachytherapy training. With almost 10 years of hindsight, the aim was to update these results. Material and methods An anonymized questionnaire based on the 2012 survey was submitted to the 161 French residents enrolled in the 2021 French Society of Young Radiation Oncologists (Société Française des Jeunes Radiothérapeutes Oncologues – SFJRO) national brachytherapy courses. Results With a participation rate of 73%, 86% of the residents were interested in brachytherapy, but 80% consider their training in brachytherapy insufficient. 88% and 69% of the residents stated that they knew gynecological and prostate brachytherapy indications correctly, respectively. The residents have achieved proficiency in the technique of brachytherapy of vaginal vault in 36% (compared with 21% in 2012), utero-vaginal in 13% (12% in 2012), including 4% with interstitial implants, and prostate in only 4% (4% in 2012). In their brachytherapy internships, 18% of the residents declared having no role or an observational role. The main obstacles to training were the need to go to several centers to see several indications (85%), lack of brachytherapy activity in the center (72%), and the difficulty of freeing themselves from hospital duties (71%). Conclusions With results globally stable compared with 2012, brachytherapy training needs improvement. In the absence of a mandatory internship in a reference center or dedicated fellowships, residents must have protected access to training sites by favoring inter-hospital exchanges.

Survey on brachytherapy training among radiation oncology residents in the German-speaking regions of Europe

“…Four surveys have recently been performed among radiation oncology residents to evaluate the state of brachytherapy training in the US [ 8 ], in Australia/New Zealand [ 9 ], and in Europe [ 10 , 11 ]. Senior residents were confident to join a brachytherapy practice in 54% (US) and 34% (Europe).…”

Excitement and Concerns of Young Radiation Oncologists over Automatic Segmentation: A French Perspective

“…Its main goals include radiation oncology (RO) training and working in close collaboration with the french society of Radiation Oncology (SFRO) and the National Board of Oncology Teachers (CNEC). Translational lectures are given several times a year to improve the training of RO residents [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Concerning delineation topics, national courses are organized regularly in radio-anatomy with around 180–200 attendings (Paris 2009, Paris 2012, Paris 2018).…”