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The importance of communication skills required to reduce set-up errors in the radiotherapy planning phase

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 May 2019

A. Merlotti Open the ORCID record for A. Merlotti [Opens in a new window] ,
A. Reali  and
E. Russi
A. Merlotti*
Affiliation:
Department of Radiation Oncology, S. Croce University Hospital, Cuneo, Italy
A. Reali
Affiliation:
Department of Radiation Oncology, S. Croce University Hospital, Cuneo, Italy
E. Russi
Affiliation:
Department of Radiation Oncology, S. Croce University Hospital, Cuneo, Italy
*
Author for correspondence: A. Merlotti, via M.Coppino 26, 12100 Cuneo, Italy. Tel: +39 0171641327. E-mail: anna.merlotti@virgilio.it
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Abstract

During the planning computed tomography (CT) scan, patients experience the position and any immobilisation technique required for radiotherapy.

Patient’s stress and anxiety can cause muscle tension that can introduce systematic set-up errors if not recognised and corrected.

We discuss two clinical cases that highlight the importance of time dedicated to communication and revision of the first CT acquisition during a virtual simulation procedure.

Keywords

communicationradiotherapyset-up errorstreatment accuracyvirtual simulation
Type
Case Study
Information
Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice , Volume 18 , Issue 4 , December 2019 , pp. 395 - 396
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2019 

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References

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