The effectiveness of an educational intervention on young adults’ perception of radiation therapy
MO-0559
Abstract
The effectiveness of an educational intervention on young adults’ perception of radiation therapy
Authors: Theresa O'Donovan1, Kate Murphy1, Annemarie Devine1, Professor Mark McEntee1, Professor Aisling Barry1,2, Dr. Andrew England1
1University College Cork, Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, Co. Cork, Ireland; 2Cork University Hospital, Radiation Oncology, Co. Cork, Ireland
Show Affiliations
Hide Affiliations
Purpose or Objective
With more than half of all cancer patients receiving radiation therapy (RT) as part of their treatment, promoting its importance is pivotal. This study investigates if an educational intervention may alter healthy young adults’ perception of RT as a treatment and a career.
Material and Methods
This quasi-experimental study was conducted in two Irish all-female secondary schools. Pre- and post-intervention questionnaires were designed and distributed to 5th-year (n=58) and 6th-year students (n=32) to evaluate the impact of two educational videos. Students were aged between 16-18 years old. The first video focused on RT as a treatment, and the second on the educational pathway to becoming a radiation therapist (RTT). Ethical approval was obtained from the University College Cork’s (UCC) Social Research Ethics Committee (SREC). Due to the age of the participants’ consent was obtained from both the student and parent/guardian.
Results
Most participants (93%, n=84) improved their knowledge by at least one point (out of 10). Participants’ initial understanding of the difference between diagnostic radiography and RT was low, with 18 (20.2%) students stating, they knew the difference. This increased to 79 (88%) at post-intervention stage (p<0.001). Pre-intervention, five (5.6%) participants stated they had considered RT as a career; post-intervention, this increased to 31 (29.6%; p<0.001).
Conclusion
The intervention successfully increased the cohort’s awareness and knowledge of RT as a treatment and potential career pathway. The results highlight the importance of educational interventions. It forms a basis for future research to explore whether early educational intervention would improve RTT recruitment and attrition rates within degree programs.