The impact of emerging technologies on education, roles and career progression of radiation therapists: a delphi consensus based on the ESTRO RTT workshop

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BUIJS, Monica, SOUSA, Filipa, COUTO, JGuilherme, BOSSA, Paolo, CLARKSON, Melanie, DEVEREUX, Thomas, DOMINGUES, Diana Raquel, HARRISON, Leslie, KIM, Taeyoon, LEUNG, Vincent WS, OCHANDORENA, Karina, ROLO, Ligia, SHEPHERD, Meegan, SIDDIQI, Fahim, STRIKOU, Dimitra, TONG, Edwin, WEERD, Eva Van, WILLIAMSON, Aoife, WOJCIKOWSKI, Sebastian and SIMÕES, Rita (2026). The impact of emerging technologies on education, roles and career progression of radiation therapists: a delphi consensus based on the ESTRO RTT workshop. Technical Innovations & Patient Support in Radiation Oncology: 100392. [Article]

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Abstract
Rapid technological advances in radiation oncology, including artificial intelligence (AI), online adaptive radiotherapy, and advanced imaging, are transforming radiotherapy practice and professional roles. Radiation Therapists (RTTs) must adapt their education, scope of practice, and career pathways to safely implement these technologies, yet international consensus on how this should be supported remains limited. A modified Delphi study was conducted following two online international workshops organised by the ESTRO Radiation Therapist (RTT) Committee. Expert RTTs participated in facilitated discussions exploring the impact of emerging technologies on RTT education, role extension, and career progression. Workshop data were thematically analysed to generate consensus statements, which were refined and validated through two survey rounds. Consensus was defined as ≥ 80% agreement. High levels of agreement were achieved across all themes. Participants agreed that emerging technologies expand rather than replace RTT roles, shifting responsibilities towards validation, quality assurance, and clinical decision-making. Structured education, critical thinking, and clear competency frameworks were identified as essential, alongside defined career pathways and access to continuing professional development. This position paper presents international expert consensus to inform education, workforce planning, and professional development in technologically evolving radiotherapy practice.
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Official URL:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/...
Open Access URL:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/...
Open Access Version:
Published version

Identifiers

Identification Number:
10.1016/j.tipsro.2026.100392
ORCID for Monica Buijs: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-6460-4423
ORCID for Filipa Sousa: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-4172-5457
ORCID for JGuilherme Couto: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-8262-2828
ORCID for Paolo Bossa: ORCID iD orcid.org/0009-0005-7149-7127
ORCID for Melanie Clarkson: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-3052-5230
ORCID for Diana Raquel Domingues: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0001-7799-8428
ORCID for Taeyoon Kim: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-3594-0740
ORCID for Edwin Tong: ORCID iD orcid.org/0009-0009-4291-2087
ORCID for Eva Van Weerd: ORCID iD orcid.org/0009-0004-3573-0561

Library

Publisher:
Elsevier BV
Item Type:
Article
SWORD Depositor:
Symplectic Elements
Depositing User:
Symplectic Elements
Date record made live:
23 Mar 2026 16:27
Last Modified:
23 Mar 2026 16:30
Date of first compliant deposit:
23 March 2026
Date of first compliant Open Access:
23 March 2026
Version of first compliant deposit:
Version of Record
ISSN:
2405-6324
URI:
https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/37176
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