Enhancing the RT student clinical experience: Newcastle Mater Hospital Radiation Oncology Department

In 2004, the New South Wales (NSW) State Government in Australia provided funding for five clinical consultant, radiation therapist positions, specialising in clinical education. These Radiation Therapy Educator (RTE) positions where developed in response to the attrition rate in Medical Radiation Science (MRS), Radiation Therapy (RT) courses in NSW and the subsequent impact on qualified radiation therapist numbers. The Radiation Oncology Department at the Newcastle Mater Misericordiae Hospital (NMMH) was granted three-year funding for one RTE position. The RTE at the NMMH produced a comprehensive programme to support undergraduate MRS students, the RTE utilised concepts regarding clinical education, adult learning and preceptorship in the development of the programme. The programme involved implementation of an orientation programme and department wide preceptors to facilitate learning in the clinical environment. The undergraduate programme was adapted specifically to student learning utilising needs assessments, learning contracts and additional specialised tutorials. This assisted the department to bridge the theory practice gap in the students, clinical experience. Evaluation of the programme was focused on establishing baseline data, where little had existed previously and in the long term, substantiating the implementation of the RTE position. Preliminary data indicate that the programme, although still in its infancy, appears to be addressing the needs of the students resulting in enhancement of their clinical experience, whilst also providing a continual process for the programme to develop and improve.