The target audience for this course are RTTs who wish to enhance and further their knowledge and practical skills in patient positioning and immobilisation for conventional and advanced radiation therapy techniques. The course is also of interest to those implementing a new immobilisation device or researching the performance of an existing device.  This course provides the theory and practical skills to effectively position and immobilise patients for a variety of different treatment delivery techniques

COURSE DIRECTOR

Sophie Perryck, Radiation Therapist, University Hospital Zurich (CH)

TEACHERS

• Luca Boldrini, Radiation Oncologist, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome (IT)
• Sophie Boisbouvier, Radiation Therapist, Centre Léon Bérard (FR)
• Giulia McCorkell, Radiation Therapist, RMIT University, Melbourne (AU)
• Claudio Votta, Radiation Therapist, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, Rome (IT)

• Sharon Wong Mei Mei (SWMM), Radiation Therapist, National Cancer Centre Singapore (SG)

Guest Online Lecturer

• Irena Dragojevic, Medical Physicist, University of California, San Diego (US)
• Lotte Fog, Medical Physicist, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne (AU)
• Laura Mullaney, Radiation Therapist, University College Dublin (IE)
• Todd Pawlicki, Medical Physicist, University of California, San Diego (US)

LOCAL ORGANISER

Kätlin Tiigi, Medical Physicist, The North Estonia Medical Centre, Tallinn (EE)

The course aims to provide:

• Knowledge of the impact patient immobilisation and positioning has on the radiation therapy process and treatment outcomes
• Practical experience of constructing and using immobilisation devices for a range of disease site and treatment techniques
• A forum for participants to gain and exchange knowledge on patient immobilisation and positioning.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course participants should be able to:

• Discuss the need for accurate and precise patient immobilisation and positioning in radiation therapy
• Evaluate the impact of positioning and immobilisation on margins required for adequate dose delivery
• Construct and optimally use immobilisation devices for a range of anatomical sites
• Solve difficult cases where conventional immobilisation devices may not be appropriate. 
• Compare and evaluate the efficacy of immobilisation devices/positions 
• Evaluate positioning and immobilisation procedures in the context of radiation therapy risk management.

COURSE CONTENT

The course will cover the following topics:

• Fundamental principles of positioning and immobilisation
• Impact of positioning and immobilisation on treatment planning
• Immobilising patients for a range of anatomical areas
• Positioning errors on margins
• Impact of positioning and immobilisation on:
  • treatment verification
  • clinical outcome

• Risk and positioning on immobilisation
• Case discussions

COURSE DESIGN

The course will take place over a 6 weeks period and will be delivered using a blended learning approach, i.e. a combination of recorded online seminars, live teleconferencing and face-to-face teaching:

• The theoretical components will be delivered using the ESTRO Moodle, the ESTRO Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), where recorded seminars will be available for participants to join at a time that suits them.
• Additionally, live teleconference tutorials will also take place to provide participants with the opportunity to discuss their learning to date with the teachers and peers.
• The face-to-face component of the course will occur over a two-day period at the North Estonia Medical Centre in Tallinn

For the updated calendars please consult the ESTRO website page of this course.

TEACHING METHODS

• 6 hours of online lectures
• 3 hours of online individual/group activities
• 3 hours of live teleconference tutorials
• 1 practical weekend with workshops

METHODS OF ASSESSMENT

• MCQ
• Evaluation form

KEY WORDS

• Positioning
• Immobilisation
• Margins
• Reproducibility
• Radiation Therapy

FURTHER READING

To be provided if available

ACCREDITATION

Application for CME recognition will be submitted to the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME), an institution of the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS). EACCME credits are recognised by the American Medical Association towards the Physician’s Recognition Award (PRA). Information on the status of the applications can be obtained from the ESTRO office.

The North Estonia Medical Centre

Retke tee 34,

13419 Tallinn

Estonia

The scientific programme will be available in spring

Membership

ESTRO members can order products at substantially reduced prices. To benefit from the member registration rate, you must subscribe for the ESTRO membership 2025 BEFORE registering to the course. To become an ESTRO member, benefit from the member registration rate and discover the many other member advantages, please visit the membership page.

Fees

* Members with specialty RadiationTherapist (RTT) may register at the In-Training fee

The fee includes the course material, coffees, lunches, and the social event.

Advance registration & payment are required.

Access to homework and/or course material will become available upon receipt of full payment.

Insurance and cancellation

Participants are strongly advised to take out their own personal insurance policy. ESTRO does not accept liability for individual medical, travel or personal accidents or incidents. Participants are strongly advised to take insurance policies to cover flight and accommodation cancellation penalties. ESTRO will not refund any travel or accommodation expenses.

For any cancellation made by the course or workshop participant, ESTRO School Events Cancellation Policy will be followed and all stated penalty fees will be applied.

Reduced fees

NOT AVAILABLE FOR THIS COURSE