Virtual training in patient information sessions prior to external beam radiotherapy

Purpose or Objective: The aim of the study was to explore
the prostate patients’ perceptions of Virtual Environment for
Radiotherapy Training (VERT) as an information giving
resource prior to radiotherapy delivery.

The objectives were:
• To determine the level of knowledge of those patients who
attended (VERT) for a pre-treatment talk
• To explore patients perceptions who utilised (VERT) as an
information giving resource prior to radiotherapy treatment
• To identify the benefits and limitations of using VERT as
pre-treatment information giving resource Material and Methods: A survey design was utilised to address the aims and objective of the study. The study was conducted over 2 phases: Phase 1 - participants were invited to attend a (VERT)patient information session four weeks prior to their planning CT scan. Phase 2 – patients were asked to complete a questionnaire two weeks after start of radiotherapy treatment. The questionnaire was designed to
collect data on the prostate cancer patient’s knowledge
attitudes and beliefs regarding pre-treatment information
provided prior to their radiotherapy treatment. A total
population sample was used for this study. All patients being
referred for radical radiotherapy to the prostate were invited to participate, over a five month data collection period (March – August 2015). A total of n=40 patients were included in the sample.

Results: Statistical package SPSS (Version 21) was used for
data analysis. Descriptive statistics and frequency tables
were the first steps in the data analysis. Thereafter, Chisquared tests were used to analyse the data further. Open
ended questions were analysed thematically.
Results are currently being analysed however preliminary
results are very positive, a summary of the preliminary
results are outlined below (the final presentation will include frequency tables):
•Most patients found the (VERT) session to be very helpful
•Most patients stated that the session helped them to
understand the importance of following bowel and bladder
instructions prior to treatment and enhanced their knowledge
about radiotherapy side effects
•The sessions were highly recommended for other patients
and future recommendations included family members and
carers to be included.
•Most patients were comfortable being part of a group during
the presentation.
•Patients believed the sessions reduced their anxiety and
stress about their upcoming treatment.

Conclusion: Patient perceptions on the use of (VERT) as
information giving tool prior to radiotherapy treatment were
very positive. The sessions enable patients to understand the
potential impact of treatment volumes if the internal organ
shape and location differed from that originally planned,
enabling them to comply with radiotherapy treatment
instruction.