Enhancing my Professional Identity through moving practice forward

My professional identity is continually evolving as I work towards becoming a stronger healthcare practitioner with a broadened knowledge base. Particularly through staying up to date with emerging technologies in my field and becoming committed to being a lifelong learner I have strengthened my professional identity. Radiation Therapy is constantly transforming through new technological advances, suggestions through evidence-based clinical trials, and the adoption of new policies and procedures. For the past few decades Radiation therapy has been advanced through image guidance. Computed Tomography and X-ray technologies have allowed for more accurate treatment planning and treatment delivery. Moving forward, image guidance with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) may assist in developing more precise treatments with better soft tissue visualization and real time imaging (Erler et al., 2018). Magnetic Resonance Imaging is known to bring about superior soft tissue differentiation than computed tomography but along with the proposed benefits come limitations and challenges. Over the past few years there has been a lot of progress on developing a hybrid MRI-Linear accelerator (MR-Linac) machine- with two now being commercially available. Both the Elekta Unity and ViewRay MRidian are hybrid MR-Linacs being used in practice today (Chandarana et al, 2018). This technical accomplishment brings excitement and advancement to the radiation therapy world, but as with any emerging technology there are several key areas which require examination when considering the feasibility of implementation. Canada has yet to develop a recognized training program for Radiation therapists to receive an enhanced license and broaden their practice to include safe and proficient use of the MR-Linear accelerators, but over the past 1 ½ years I have been working closely with a group of colleagues to complete MRI training. Completing both didactic courses on MRI safety, anatomy, and physics and a clinical practicum in a diagnostic MRI scanner I have become proficient and safe in this expanded area. I am working now to help create a thorough competency profile to assist others in the Radiation Therapy field to gain this expanded knowledge base in MRI. I am excited to be a part of moving our practice forward and creating a safe environment for all patients and staff in this new emerging area of treatment. Alberta is currently working on opening three MR-Linear accelerators for clinical use by 2023 and I am proud to be a part of the group involved in implementing new treatment options for our deserving patients.

References:

Chandarana, H., Wang, H., Tijssen, R., & Das, I. J. (2018). Emerging role of MRI in radiation therapy. Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI, 48(6), 1468–1478. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmri.26271

Erler D, D'Alimonte L, Campbell M. (2018, January 20). Opportunity Is Knocking: The Need to Responsively and Responsibly Integrate Therapeutic MRI into Radiation Therapy. Journal of Medical Imaging Radiation Sciences. Mar;49(1):16-17. doi: 10.1016/j.jmir.2017.12.006