Proteção e Segurança Radiológica em Radioterapia

Objectives

The aims of this Curricular Unit include: - To provide students of the MPSR with an introduction to Radiation Protection and Safety topics in Radiotherapy, - To address the role of radiation in Public Health, - To study a broad range of subjects from pure science to law and ethics drawing upon publications by national and international bodies, - To provide students with the skills required to the application and implementation of radiation protection in medical/clinical environment and to master techniques and methodologies to design, implement and optimize Radiation Protection and Safety and radiation shielding in a radiotherapy Service, complying with national and international regulations and recommendations.

Syllabus

1. Introduction to Health Physics 1.1. Basic aspects of quantities and units used in Radiation Protection 2. Hazards, accidents and safety in radiotherapy 3. Responsabilities and conditions of service 4. Detection and quantification of radiation 5. Biological effects of radiation 6. International basis for legislation 7. National laws and international standards and guidance for Radiological Protection and Safety 8. Basic requirements for Radiation Protection and Safety in radiotherapy 9. Characteristics of radiotherapy facilities and equipments 10. Shielding requirements, design and calculations for radiotherapy bunkers 11. Radiation Protection and Safety in the clinic 12. Radiation Protection Program

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of Radiation Protection and Dosimetry and biologic effects of radiation.

Cross Competence Component

- Critical and innovative assessment and judgement, through the development of strategies for problem solving - Global citizenship, deepening and raising the awareness about the scientific/technological,socio-economic,ethical and legal aspects associated to the use of ionizing radiation in the Health sector and the assessment and analysis of their cost-benefit relationship and societal impact - Inter-personnal skills, by team work in the preparation of works and the oral communication in their presentation and discussion. - Intra-personnal skills, developing the skills associated to the proactivity and spirit of initiative, in the compilation and syntehsis of information and data, etc. management, motivation, etc. The assessment percentage associated with these competences should be around 20%.

Laboratorial Component

Some classes will take place in hospital/clinical settings, complemented by classes consisting of lectures by invited experts. The works to be undertaken by students involve the utilization of hospital equipment and infrastructures, namely linear accelerators for radiotherapy applications, at the Radiotherapy Service of IPOLFG.

Ethical Principles

All members of a group are responsible for the group´s work. In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used. In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.