Online educational program for CT-based image-guided adaptive brachytherapy in cervical cancer: The BrachyAcademy experience

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE

This study describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of an online educational program on CT-based image-guided adaptive brachytherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) by BrachyAcademy, in collaboration with the lead author of the IBS-GEC ESTRO-ABS CT-based contouring recommendations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 2023–24, the program comprised three components: a procedural video, a webinar, and an interactive online contouring workshop. The workshop included two homeworks on LACC cases using ProKnow software. Participants delineated high-risk clinical target volume (CTV_HR) and intermediate-risk clinical target volume (CTV_IR) and organs at risks. Postworkshop contouring efficiency was assessed by comparing participants’ contours to master contours. Feedback was collected through postcourse evaluation forms.

RESULTS

The procedural video reached 487 individuals from 70 countries; the webinar engaged 148 participants from 39 countries, with an additional 115 on-demand viewers. Thirty-five radiation oncologists from 20 countries participated in the workshop, and 27 (77%) completed both homeworks for both cases. Comparison between homeworks demonstrated significant improvements in CTV_HR and CTV_IR contouring. Postcourse evaluation forms (n = 25) showed that 92% of respondents’ expectations were fully met, with an average satisfaction score of 9.3/10.

CONCLUSION

Participation highlighted a broad, global interest in CT-based brachytherapy education. Strategies are being explored to scale up the online program and integrate it with in-person workshops.

Keywords

Education

Training

CT-based brachytherapy

Image-guided brachytherapy

Cervical cancer

Contouring