Development of a Quality and Safety Competency Curriculum for Radiation Oncology Residency: An International Delphi Study

Publication date: Available online 14 February 2017
Source:International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics
Author(s): Jenna Adleman, Caitlin Gillan, Amanda Caissie, Carol-Anne Davis, Brian Liszewski, Andrea McNiven, Meredith Giuliani
PurposeThe purpose of this study was to develop an entry-to-practice quality and safety competency profile for radiation oncology (RO) residency.Methods and MaterialsA comprehensive list of potential quality and safety competency items was generated from public and professional resources and interprofessional focus groups. Redundant or out-of-scope items were eliminated through investigator consensus. Remaining items were subjected to an international two-round modified Delphi process involving experts in RO, radiation therapy, and medical physics. During Round One, each item was scored independently on a 9-point Likert scale indicating appropriateness for inclusion in the competency profile. Items indistinctly ranked for inclusion or exclusion were reevaluated through web-conference discussion and re-ranked in Round Two.ResultsAn initial 1,211 items were compiled from 32 international sources and distilled to 105 unique potential quality and safety competency items. Fifteen of the 50 invited experts participated in Round One: 10 radiation oncologists, four radiation therapists, and one medical physicist from 13 centres in five countries. Round One rankings resulted in 80 items included, one item excluded, and 24 items indeterminate. Two areas emerged more prominently within the latter group: change management and human factors. Web-conference with five participants resulted in nine of these 24 items edited for content or clarity. In Round Two, 12 participants rescored all indeterminate items resulting in 10 items ranked for inclusion. The final 90 enabling competency items were organized into thematic groups consisting of 18 key competencies under headings adapted from Deming's System of Profound Knowledge.ConclusionsThis quality and safety competency profile may inform minimum training standards for RO residency programs.

Teaser

The purpose of this study was to develop an entry-to-practice quality and safety competency profile for radiation oncology (RO) residency education. An international 2-round modified Delphi process was conducted with participation from 15 experts in radiation oncology representing 13 centres in five countries. Ninety of the initial 105 items were ranked for inclusion in the final competency profile. This profile may form the basis of quality and safety training standards in RO residency programs.


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