Item A6
School Committee Meeting 29.11.10
Proposal for a New Strand in “Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning”
within the existing Masters course in Advanced Radiotherapy Practice
(Course code796/PAC code TRS99)
Course title:
MSc in Advanced Radiotherapy Practice
New strand title:
Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning
Degree award proposed:
Existing MSc/P.Grad.Dip. (exit only)
Strand Duration:
2 year part-time
Mode of delivery:
Part-time
First entry:
September 2011
(offered on biennial basis)
Closing date for applications of first entry:
August 31st, 2011
Closing date for applications of regular entry: June 30th
Max student intake:
Min student intake:
20 EU applicants
6 EU applicants
School of Head of School of Medicine:
Prof. Dermot Kelleher
Head of Discipline of Radiation Therapy:
Ms. Mary Coffey
Director of Teaching and Learning (PG):
Dr John Gormley
Course Director:
Ms. Mary Coffey
Course Coordinator:
Ms. Michelle Leech
Approved by School Committee
Approved by School Accountant
Date of consideration by
Graduate Studies Committee:
?
?
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Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 3
2. RATIONALE .................................................................................................................. 3
2.1 Needs analysis ..........................................................................................................................................3
2.2 Relationship to school strategic plan ...................................................................................................3
2.3 Relationship to existing postgraduate courses....................................................................................4
2.4 Staffing requirements and arrangements .............................................................................................4
2.5Accommodation .......................................................................................................................................7
2.6 Finance......................................................................................................................................................7
2.7 Library, IT and research facilities and requirements. ........................................................................7
3. ADMISSIONS ................................................................................................................. 7
3.1 Entry criteria ............................................................................................................................................7
3.2 Minimum and maximum targeted number of EU entrants .............................................................8
3.3 Proposed marketing and promotion of the course ...........................................................................8
4. STRUCTURE OF THE PROPOSED NEW STRAND WITHIN THE COURSE ...... 8
4.1 Description...............................................................................................................................................8
4.2 Learning Outcomes for the Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning Strand ............................. 11
4.3 Module Descriptors ............................................................................................................................. 11
Module 1: Research Methodology and Statistics ................................................................................... 11
Module 2: Imaging: Physical Properites, Clinical Applications and Radiological Anatomy ......... 12
Module 7: 2D and 3D Conformal Treatment Planning ....................................................................... 13
Module 8: Contouring for Treatment Planning ................................................................................... 14
Module 9: IMRT Treatment Planning .................................................................................................... 15
Module 10: Treatment Planning for Specialist Techniques ................................................................. 16
Module 11: Research Dissertation .......................................................................................................... 16
4.4 Assessment and Progression .............................................................................................................. 17
5. COURSE COMMITTEE .............................................................................................. 19
5.1 Ex officio Committee Members ........................................................................................................ 19
5.2 Course coordinator and director ....................................................................................................... 19
Appendix 1: Calendar Part 2 entry for 2011
Appendix 2: Prospectus entry for 2011
Appendix 3: Financial costings
Appendix 4: Code of practice
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1: INTRODUCTION
The Discipline of Radiation Therapy, School of Medicine, proposes to introduce a second strand
to their MSc in Advanced Radiotherapy Practice. This strand teaches the principles of treatment
planning for radiation therapy and their practical application. Basic knowledge of treatment
planning is gained in the undergraduate honours radiation therapy degree programme. However,
in order to work effectively and efficiently in radiotherapy treatment planning, specific
postgraduate education in the field is required. As part of the national programme for
radiotherapy treatment planning will be primarily the responsibility of radiation therapists. There
is no advanced course in radiation therapy treatment planning available in Ireland currently. This
proposed strand will benefit not only radiation therapists wishing to pursue their career in the
field of treatment planning, but is equally applicable to medical physicists working in Radiation
Oncology, registrars in Radiation Oncology and radiation therapists working in the non planning
clinical setting as a sound understanding of treatment planning and dosimetry underpins practice
in the three disciplines.
The proposed strand will be provided by the Discipline of Radiation Therapy, School of
Medicine, TCD. The Discipline has a fully equipped treatment planning computer laboratory,
with capacity for 40 students and has full Eclipse treatment planning software. Eclipse has
been selected as the treatment planning software under the National Cancer Control Programme
and will be incorporated into the two new Radiotherapy Departments on the sites at St. James’s
Hospital and Beaumont Hospital, making the treatment planning laboratory in the Discipline of
Radiation therapy fully compatible with these sites.
The course will be directed by Mrs. Mary Coffey and co-ordinated by Ms. Michelle Leech. The
course committee will include staff from both the clinical radiotherapy departments and the
Division of Radiation Therapy in TCD. The course programme will run over two years parttime of study. The taught component will take place in the first year of the programme with a
research dissertation to be completed the MSc in the second year.
2: STRAND RATIONALE
2.1 Needs Analysis
Education in the field of treatment planning has been in-house for many years in radiotherapy
departments in Ireland. This unstructured format has resulted in only a small number of
professionals working in the area of treatment planning and different approaches to treatment
planning being undertaken in various departments. Radiation Therapists have been identified by
the National Cancer Control Programme as the health professionals who will have responsibility
for planning cancer patients’ radiotherapy treatments under the National Cancer Strategy. A
formalised education programme in radiotherapy treatment planning is therefore required to
both meet this educational need and assist the National Cancer Control Programme in workforce
planning in this area going forward.
At present, some British universities offer a single module in Treatment Planning at MSc level.
However, there is currently no full MSc in Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning in Ireland or,
to our knowledge, in the United Kingdom. These points illustrate the void that exists in
treatment planning education at this time and provide the rationale for this proposed strand.
2.2 Relationship to school strategic plan
It is proposed to run the Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning strand within the Advanced
Radiotherapy Practice programme to enable the sharing of modules, staffing and resources.
Cancer has been identified as a key research theme of the School of Medicine. Phase I of the
National Cancer Control Programme in Radiation Oncology will open in December 2010 on the
St. James’s and Beaumont Hospital sites, with 8 new linear accelerators. This development,
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coupled with the expansion of research in the treatment of prostate, lung, colorectal,
oesophageal, paediatric, gynaecological and haematological malignancies as outlined in the School
Strategic plan will increase treatment planning requirements substantially.
The establishment of Trinity Health has been proposed as part of the School’s strategic plan.
The new strand will have the input of both TCD staff and staff at both Hospital campuses and
will be beneficial to the new radiotherapy departments and ultimately to Trinity Health by further
integrating the Discipline and the new radiotherapy service.
2.3 Relationship to existing postgraduate courses
The MSc in Advanced Radiotherapy Practice currently offers radiation therapists the opportunity
to further develop their clinical patient management skills. When this MSc was originally
proposed, it was envisaged that there would be a requirement to develop further postgraduate
radiotherapy courses in response to technological advances and service requirements. The
proposed Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning strand will offer students a technical option in
advanced practice leading to the MSc degree in Advanced Radiotherapy Practice. It is proposed
to share common modules and thereby rationalise and streamline existing staffing and resources.
2.4 Staffing requirements and arrangements
The strand will be delivered by staff members from the Discipline of Radiation Therapy and
radiotherapy treatment planning staff from the new National Cancer Control Programme
radiation therapy centres at St. James’s and Beaumont hospitals and other radiation therapy
departments. Teaching and supervised training will also be provided by external agencies with an
interest in radiation therapy treatment planning. The research component of the MSc in
Advanced Radiotherapy Practice will require supervisors who will be drawn from the lecturing
staff of the Discipline of Radiation Therapy, School of Medicine, University of Dublin, Trinity
College. The proposed lecturing staff for 2011/2012 is detailed in Table 1 and Table 2.
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Table 1. TCD School of Medicine teaching contributors to the proposed MSc strand in
Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning
Name
Mary Coffey
Michelle Leech
Position/Affiliations
Course Director,
Head of Discipline and Senior
Lecturer in Radiation Therapy
Discipline of Radiation Therapy, TCD
Course Coordinator
Lecturer in Radiation Therapy
Discipline of Radiation Therapy, TCD
Maria
Broderick
Lecturer in Radiation Therapy,
Discipline of Radiation Therapy, TCD
Dr. Laure
Marignol
Lecturer in Radiation Therapy
Discipline of Radiation Therapy, TCD
Module
Contribution
3,5,7
1,2,5,7,8,9,10,
7,8,9,10
1, 7
Dr Moya
Cunningham
Consultant Radiation Oncologist
Lecturer in Radiation Oncology
Discipline of Radiation Therapy, TCD
Dr. Charles
Gillham
Consultant Radiation Oncologist
Lecturer in Radiation Oncology
Discipline of Radiation Therapy, TCD
Lecturer in Radiation Therapy
Disicpline of Radiation Therapy, TCD
Dr. Gerard
Menezes
2
2
1,2, 7
Prof. Orla
Shiels
Dr.Gerard
Boyle
Associate Professor in Clinical
Medicine, TCD
Senior Lecturer
Clinical Medicine, TCD
1
Prof. Donal
Hollywood
Dr. Pierre
Thirion
Marie Curie Professor of Clinical
Oncology, TCD
Consultant Radiation Oncologist
Lecturer in Radiation Oncology, TCD
9
5
2
9
Area of expertise
Research Thesis
Clinical Practice
Radiation Therapy
Treatment Planning
Research Thesis
Clinical Practice
Statistics
Radiation Therapy
Treatment Planning,
Clinical Practice
Research Thesis
Radiobiology
Research
Methodology and
Statistics
Research Thesis
Gastro-intestinal
malignancies
Clinical Practice
Radiobiology
Gynaecological
malignancies
Research
Methodology and
Statistics,
Physics of
Radiological
Imaging
Ethics in Research
Physics of
Radiological
Imaging
Head and Neck
Cancer
Lung cancer
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Table 2: Non-TCD Scholl of Medicine contributors to the proposed MSc strand in
Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning
Name
Position/Affiliations
Mr. Steven
Buckney
Senior Dosimetrist,
St. Luke’s Hospital
Dublin 6
8,10
Ms. Louise O’Neill Senior Dosimetrist.
St. Luke’s Hospital
Dublin 6
8, 11
Dr Ronan
McDermott
Dr. Jim Meaney
Module
Contribution
Consultant Radiologist,
St. James’s Hospital,
Dublin 8
Consultant Radiologist,
St. James’s Hospital,
Dublin 8
2
Dr. Brian O’Neill
Consultant Radiation
Oncologist,
Beaumont Hospital,
Dublin
Consultant Radiation
Oncologist,
Cork University Hospital,
Wilton, Cork
Radiation Oncology
Lead,
National Cancer Control
Programme
Clinical Specialist
Radiation Therapist
National Cancer Control
Programme
St. James’s Hospital
Campus,
Dublin 8
Senior Radiation
Therapist
St. Luke’s Hospital,
Dublin 6
Research and
Development Manager,
St. Luke’s Hospital,
Dublin 6
Senior Dosimetrist, St.
Vincent’s Private
Hospital, Dublin 4
Ms. Laura
Mullaney
Ms. Joanne Kenny
Ms. Evelyn
O’Shea
Mr. Joe Dillon
Treatment Planning for
Specialist Techniques
Breast imaging
Consultant Radiologist
St. James’s Hospital,
Dublin 8
Dr. Jerome Coffey
3D Conformal and
IMRT Treatment
Planning
2
Dr. Ciaran
Johnston
Dr. Aileen Flavin
Area of expertise
2
6
Prostate and pelvic
imaging
Positron Emission
Tomography
2
Gastrointestinal and
neurological
malignancies
2
Gynaecological
malignancies and
brachytherapy
Prostate Cancer
2
1
Research methodology
and Statistics
1
Research methodology
1
Research methodology
and Statistics
8, 10
3D Conformal and
IMRT Treatment
Planning
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Ms. Carol Burke
Ms. Roisin
O’Rourke
Senior Dosimetrist,
UPMC Bacon Medical
Centre,
Sandyford,
Dublin 18
Dosimetrist,
Cork University Hospital,
Wilton, Cork
10, 11
IMRT Treatment
Planning and
Treatment Planning of
Specialist Techniques
8, 10
3D Conformal and
IMRT Treatment
Planning
Ms. Grainne
Gleeson
Radiation Therapy
Services Manager,
National Cancer Control
Programme,
St. James’s Hospital
campus,
Dublin 8
9
Contouring for
Treatment Planning
Mr. Stephen
Coyne
Radiation Therapy
Services Manager,
University College
Hospital, Galway
9
Contouring for
Treatment Planning
2.5 Accommodation
Teaching will be carried out primarily in the Treatment Planning Laboratory of the Discipline of
Radiation Therapy in the Trinity Centre for Health Sciences. In general, the class size will be
between 6 and 20; therefore the lecture theatres within the Discipline of Radiation Therapy
required for didactic instruction on other parts of the programme are suitable.
Students accepted onto the programme will have an agreement with the Treatment Planning
department of their own hospital for completion of the practical aspects of the course. This will
be 5 hours per week over the two years and is an admissions requirement to the programme.
2.6 Finance
The proposed Radiation Treatment Planning strand will operate within the already existing self
funding course in parallel to the approved strand of MSc. Advanced Radiotherapy Practice in line
with the proposed financial costings as outlined in Appendix 3.
2.7 Library, IT and research facilities and requirements.
The proposed introduction of a new strand does not affect students’ access to relevant facilities.
Students will continue to have access to the facilities of the Trinity Library. Current library stock
in the Trinity Library is of a very high standard and will meet the needs of the new strand. All
students will have access to the College IT system in order to use online e-journals and have email/WebCT facilities for lecture notes.
3. ADMISSIONS
3.1 Entry criteria
Application for admission to the new strand should be received normally not later than 30th June
for the proposed year entry using the online PAC facility. Late applicants will be considered
pending the availability of places. Entry to the strand will be on a biennial basis with the first
entry in September 2011.
Applications will be accepted from those who:
 Hold a primary degree in Radiation Therapy or Medical Physics
© School of Medicine, TCD
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


Hold an equivalent qualification
Have confirmed access to a treatment planning department. Candidates cannot be
accepted onto the programme unless they have access organised at the time of
application.
Otherwise satisfy the course admission committee that they have the ability to complete
and benefit from the course.
3.2 Minimum and maximum targeted number of EU entrants
The minimum number of EU entrants is six and the maximum is 20. Since the course is part
time over two years it does not depend upon non EU students.
3.3 Proposed marketing and promotion of the course
The target student population for the new strand are radiation therapists and physicists and the
strand will be particularly attractive to radiation therapists currently rotating through treatment
planning in their clinical departments.
Marketing and promotion:
It is intended that the target population for the proposed strand in Radiation Therapy Treatment
Planning will be accessed using a number of advertising strategies including:
 Entry of the course description and content into the TCD postgraduate prospectus for
2011
 Production of a course booklet/information sheet to be made available at suitable
locations such as the Graduate Studies Office, Medical School and the School of
Research and Postgraduate Education, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences at St James’s
Hospital Campus.
 Advertisement in the national broadsheets including the Irish Times, the Irish
Independent and the Sunday Independent.
 Advertisement in relevant radiography publications and newsletters such as Radiography
Ireland (issued by the Irish Institute of Radiography and Radiation Therapy), RadMag
and specialist Radiation Oncology journals such as Radiotherapy and Oncology.
4. Structure of the proposed new strand within the existing course
4.1 Description
The MSc in Advanced Radiotherapy Practice is offered by the Discipline of Radiation Therapy
and is aimed at qualified radiation therapists. Currently, students entering the MSc in Advanced
Radiotherapy Practice follow a specific programme consisting of six taught modules and a
research dissertation. It is proposed to create a second strand in Radiation Therapy Treatment
Planning to provide education and training for the radiation therapists employed in treatment
planning. Postgraduate education at MSc level is not currently available to ensure adequate
education and training of radiation therapists for this post.
The Masters course runs over two years part-time and consists of taught modules from end of
September to May of Year 1. At this stage, the student may opt to exit the programme with a
Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Radiotherapy Practice. In the second year, the student must
undertake a substantial piece of research work and present this in the form of a dissertation (of
approximately 20,000 words) to be eligible for consideration for the award of MSc in Advanced
Radiotherapy Practice.
The proposed Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning strand will share two core (common)
modules with the existing MSc in of the Advanced Radiotherapy Practice:
1. Research Methodology and Statistics (10 ECTS)
2. Imaging: Physical Properties, Clinical Application and Radiological
Anatomy (10 ECTS)
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A) The non-core modules in the current Advanced Radiotherapy Practice strand are:
3. Healthcare Management (10 ECTS)
4. Psychological and Social Issues in Cancer Care (10 ECTS)
5. Pharmacology and Side-Effect Management (10 ECTS)
6. Evidence-based Radiation Therapy Practice (10 ECTS)
B) The non-core modules in the proposed Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning strand
will be:
7. 2D and 3D Conformal Treatment Planning (10 ECTS)
8. Contouring for Treatment Planning (10 ECTS)
9. IMRT Treatment Planning (10 ECTS)
10. Treatment Planning for Specialist Techniques (10 ECTS)
C) The research component is core to both strands:
11. Dissertation (30 ECTS)
The two core modules and four new strand-specific modules must be taken by students who
work specifically in treatment planning area. The taught component thus consists of 60 ECTS.
The modules of the treatment planning strand have been designed to meet the practice
requirements for a career in treatment planning and students wishing to follow this career path
must take the four modules of the Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning strand.
It is proposed to run the Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning strand biennially in parallel with
the Advanced Radiotherapy Practice strand. Two modules will be core to both strands enabling
the sharing of some lectures and resources as listed in Table 3. The module ECTS credits and
workload summary for the Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning strand is outlined in Table 4.
The taught modules will take place in the first year of the programme and the students will be
required to complete the research dissertation during the second year.
Teaching will be held at the Trinity Health Sciences Centre at St. James’s Hospital Campus.
Whilst completing the dissertation, students will normally be based in their clinical workplace. A
supervisor from the Discipline of Radiation Therapy will be appointed to assist each student with
their dissertation. Students will be offered subject areas within the field of radiation therapy
treatment planning that complements their daily work.
Table 3: Sharing of two core Modules/Lectures within MSc in Advanced Radiotherapy
Practice and Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning strand
Modules
Common Core Modules:
1. Research Methodology and Statistics
2. Imaging: Physical Properties, Clinical
Application and Radiological Anatomy
Strand-specific Radiation Therapy Treatment
Planning Modules:
7. 2D and 3D Conformal Treatment Planning
8. Contouring for Radiation Therapy Treatment
Planning
9. IMRT Treatment Planning
10. Treatment Planning for Specialist Techniques
Research Component Module:
9
Year /
Term
Coordinator*
Common
Yr 1 - 1st
Yr 1 - 1st
D
F


Yr 1 - 1st
Yr 1 - 2nd
C
A
Yr 1 - 2nd
Yr 1 - 2nd
A
A
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11. Dissertation
2nd year

B
* A: Michelle Leech Lecturer in Radiation Therapy, Discipline of Radiation Therapy, TCD
B: Mary Coffey, Senior Lecturer in Radiation Therapy, Discipline of Radiation Therapy, TCD
C: Maria Broderick, Lecturer in Radiation Therapy, Discipline of Radiation Therapy, TCD.
D: Dr. Laure Marignol, Lecturer in Radiation Therapy, Discipline of Radiation Therapy, TCD
E: Ms. Agnella Craig, Lecturer in Radiation Therapy, Discipline of Radiation Therapy, TCD
F: Dr. Gerard Menezes, Lecturer in Radiation Therapy, Discipline of Radiation Therapy, TCD
Table 4: Module ECTS Credits and Workload Summary for Radiation Therapy
Treatment Planning Strand. (1 ECT= 20 student input hours). All modules are
compulsory.
Module number
7
ECTS
Equivalent Hours
Workload:
Lectures
Practical Labs
Written examination
Treatment Plan
Preparation
Journal Club
OSCE
Case Studies
Written assignments
Practical assessment
Additional Hours:
Required reading
Self-directed reading
Exam preparation
8
9
10
1
2
11
Dissertation
10
200
10
200
10
10
10
10
200 200 200 1200
10
40
5
30
10
40
5
35
25
30
5
30
5
5
5
30
15
5
40
20
2
26
34
30
30
40
35
10
50
30
35
28
35
40
35
30
5
5
40
40
30
40
40
20
40
40
20
Hour Totals per module
200
200
200 200 200
Grand Total
1800
200
30
600
600
Table 5: Module ECTS Credits and Workload Summary (Dissertation)
Module number
11
ECTS
Equivalent student effort hours
Workload:
Tutorials
Class presentations
Meetings with supervisor
Additional Hours:
Required reading
30
600
10
2
18
20
50
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Self-directed reading
Research, Analysis and writing up
230
280
Grand Total
600
4.2 Learning outcomes for the Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning Strand
On successful completion of this strand students should be able to:
 Identify radiological anatomy and understand the how optimal images for treatment planning
are acquired
 Prepare safe and accurate treatment plans for specific cancer sites
 Use evidence-based medicine to underpin their radiation therapy treatment planning practice
 Explain the importance of contouring in the field of treatment planning
 Undertake research in the field of radiation therapy treatment planning
 Critique the planning process for specialist radiotherapy techniques such as stereotactic
treatments and brachytherapy.
4.3 Learning outcomes for the whole Masters programme
On completion of this Masters programme the students should be able to:
 Apply evidence-based practice to patient care and / or treatment planning
 Plan and carry out research in an area relevant to their practice
 Appraise their own practice and make changes where appropriate
 Compare practice in other centres and participate in audit in their area
4.3 Module Descriptors
Module Number:
Module Title:
ECTS Allocation:
Module Coordinator:
Teaching Staff:
1
Research Methodology and Statistics
10
Dr. Laure Marignol
Dr. Laure Marignol, Professor Orla Shiels, Evelyn O’Shea,
Laura Mullaney, Michelle Leech, Dr. Gerard Menezes
Aims:
The aim of this module is to equip students with the necessary skills to complete a research
proposal from hypothesis to statistical analysis methods. This module prepares students to
undertake their research dissertation in module 7.
Teaching and Learning Strategies:
Lectures, practical statistics classes, self-directed learning
Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
 Discuss the ethical implications of research
 Apply the theory of simple statistical tests
 Use simple statistical methods to describe the results of research
 Complete a research proposal
Syllabus:
Specific topics addressed in this module include some of:
 Introduction to the Research Process.
 Research Proposals.
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







Ethical and Legal Considerations in Research.
Qualitative Research
Quantitative Research
Critical Appraisal of Research
Scientific Writing
Referencing
Presentation Skills
Statistics Laboratory Classes
Assessment and weighting structure of marks:
A 2 hour statistics examination (open book) (40% weighting)
This is an open book exam where students are allowed to bring defined reading material with
them into the exam since recall is not the purpose of the exam. The exam will take place in the
annual examination session and will be supported by the Examinations Office. The supplemental
exams will take place in the supplemental examination session.
A complete research proposal including presentation (60% weighting)
(Students will be required to submit a complete research proposal incorporating all of the
elements taught in this module. For students progressing to year 2 MSc., this proposal should be
in line with the chosen topic for their dissertation).
Suggested reading
Using and understanding medical statistics. D. E. Matthews and V. T. Farewell
Health Research Methodology: A guide to training in research methods.
Organisation
Module Number:
Module Title:
ECTS Allocation:
Module Coordinator:
Teaching Staff:
World Health
2
Imaging: Physical Properties, Clinical Application and
Radiological Anatomy
10
Dr. Gerard Menezes
Dr. Gerard Menezes, Dr. Gerard Boyle, Dr. Jim Meaney, Dr.
Ronan McDermott, Dr. Brian O’Neill, Dr. Aileen Flavin, Dr.
Jerome Coffey, Dr. Ciaran Johnston, Dr. Moya Cunningham,
Dr. Charles Gillham, Michelle Leech
Aims:
The aim of this module is to equip students with the ability to identify anatomy on both CT and
MRI images, which is required for the subsequent module in contouring for treatment planning.
Students will learn which imaging modalities are optimal for the main cancer sites and
understand the physical principles underpinning this image acquisition.
Teaching and Learning Strategies:
Lectures, practical statistics classes, self-directed learning
Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
 Identify anatomy of pelvis, thorax and head and neck on CT and MRI
 Discuss the physical properties of imaging modalities used in cancer care
 Analyse evidence-based imaging for a range of cancer sites
Syllabus:
Specific topics addressed in this module include some of:
 CT and cone beam CT
 PET
 MRI
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








Ultrasound
Overview of Best Practice Imaging in Cancer Care
Optimal Imaging for Prostate Cancer
Optimal Imaging for Breast Cancer
Optimal Imaging for Head and Neck Cancers
Optimal Imaging for Gynaecological Cancers
Optimal Imaging for Lung Cancer
Optimal Imaging for Neurological lesions
Radiological Anatomy
Assessment and weighting structure of marks:
2,000 word assignment on evidence-based optimal imaging in one cancer site. (60% weighting)
OSCE identifying selected structures on 20 CT/MRI datasets. (40% weighting)
Module Number:
Module Title:
ECTS Allocation:
Module Coordinator:
Teaching Staff:
7
2D and 3D Conformal Treatment Planning
10
Maria Broderick
Maria Broderick, Michelle Leech, Steve Buckney, Joe Dillon,
Roisin O’Callaghan.
Aims:
This module aims to introduce students to the treatment planning system and selection of beam
geometries, wedges and weighting in the preparation of treatment plans. Homogeneity
corrections from 2D to 3D will also be taught and students will learn to prepare 2D and 3D
treatment plans for the main cancer sites: prostate, breast, lung, head and neck and central
nervous system tumours.
Teaching and Learning Strategies:
Lectures, practical laboratories and self-directed learning.
Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
 Recognise and apply ICRU recommendations when producing treatment plans
 Discuss normal tissue tolerance from physical and radiobiological perspectives
 Produce 2D and 3D treatment plans for the main cancer sites
 Discuss and evaluate treatment plans
 Comprehend the concept of inhomogeneity in treatment planning
Syllabus:
Specific topics addressed in this module include:
 ICRU recommendations and their relevance to treatment planning and delivery (1
hour)
 Normal tissue tolerances and how to ensure that treatment plans comply with the
dose to normal tissue (1 hours)
 Physical beam characteristics and the selection of beams and beam energies for the
optimum treatment plan (1 hour)
 Isodose distributions and the factors that affect isodose curves (1 hour)
 Manual planning (practical session 3 hours)
 An introduction to the treatment planning systems: Eclipse™ ( practical session 2
hours)
 2D Treatment Planning in practice and the sites for which this is appropriate ( 10
hours practical sessions and treatment plan preparation)
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Treatment Plan evaluation (2 hours)
3D Treatment Planning (40 hours practical sessions and treatment plan preparation)
Treatment Plan evaluation (2 hours)
Inhomogeneity and how it is managed in the treatment planning environment (1
hour plus 20 hours practical and treatment plan preparation)
Treatment Plan evaluation (2 hours)
Assessment and weighting structure of marks:
Workbook illustrating a range of treatment plans prepared (65% weighting)
Written Assignment (1500 words) on treatment plan evaluation methods (35% weighting)
Suggested Reading
Radiation Oncology Physics – E.B. Podgorsak sponsored by the International Atomic Energy
Agency. (available on line)
The Physics of Radiation Therapy 4th Edition F. M. Khan 2007
Radiation Therapy Planning G. Bentel (second edition)
Practical Radiotherapy Planning A. Barrett, J. Dobbs et al. (Fourth edition)
Module Number:
Module Title:
ECTS Allocation:
Module Coordinator:
Teaching Staff:
8
Contouring for Treatment Planning
10
Michelle Leech
Michelle Leech, Grainne Gleeson, Stephen Coyne, Dr. Jerome
Coffey, Dr. Pierre Thirion, Prof. Donal Hollywood
Aims:
This module aims to equip students with the skills to accurately delineate the target volumes and
organs at risk for radiotherapy treatment planning. This module builds on the radiological
anatomy learning in module 2. The cancer sites that will be taught are prostate cancer, head and
neck cancer and lung cancer.
Teaching and Learning Strategies:
Lectures, practical laboratories and self-directed learning.
Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
 Describe the natural history of prostate, head and neck and lung cancers and their
relevance to contouring for radiotherapy.
 Discuss departmental protocols for contouring in these sites
 Explain the influence of contouring on treatment plan evaluation
 Competently outline the target volumes and organs at risk in accordance with RT
departmental protocols for prostate, head and neck and lung cancers.
Syllabus:
Specific topics addressed in this module include:
 Overview of Prostate Cancer and the aspects that have to be considered with regard
to tumour volume and organs at risk (1.5 hours)
 Overview of Head and Neck Cancers including the sites where the most common
malignancies occur and the treatment volumes necessary for treatment planning.
The organs at risk in the region and the potential side effects that need to be
considered when defining the volumes for treatment (2 hours)
 Overview of Lung Cancer and the local spread of disease. The histology and how
this influences the tumour volume. The organs at risk, the potential side effects and
the dose limitations (1.5 hours)
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Use of Contrast for Contouring (1 hour)
Patient Preparation and Positioning for each of the sites identified. The factors that
have to be considered and the optimum approach in each instance (4 hours)
Practical Contouring Sessions 75 hours to cover the practical sessions and treatment
plan preparation for a range of histology and stage variations relative to the above
sites)
Assessment and weighting structure of marks:
Log book: Students will contour 24 patient data sets in their own departments (8 from each site)
to illustrate their competency incontouring (70%)
Written assignment (1200 words) Students will complete a written assignment on the use of
contrast and image fusion in the contouring process (30%)
Suggested Reading
Radiation Therapy Planning G. Bentel (second edition)
Practical Radiotherapy Planning A. Barrett, J. Dobbs et al. (Fourth edition)
Cancer Principles and Practice of Oncology. V.T. DeVita et al (Eighth edition)
Cancer Staging Handbook. TNM Classification of Malignant Tumours (sixth edition) American
Joint Committee on Cancer (2002)
QUANTEC Int. J. Radiation Oncology Biol. Phys., Vol. 76, No. 3, Supplement, pp. S3–S9, 2010
Module Number:
Module Title:
ECTS Allocation:
Module Coordinator:
Teaching Staff:
9
IMRT Treatment Planning
10
Michelle Leech
Michelle Leech, Maria Broderick, Steve Buckney, Joe Dillon,
Roisin O’Callaghan, Carol Burke, Louise O’Neill
Aims:
This module introduces students to the inverse planning treatment process and its role in
constructing Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) treatment plans. Students will learn how
to incorporate biological factors into the cost functions of IMRT plans and evaluate their plans
in the context of ICRU 83 recommendations.
Teaching and Learning Strategies:
Lectures, practical laboratories, journal clubs, self-directed learning
Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
 Discuss ICRU 83
 Design IMRT treatment plans for the main cancer sites
 Recognise the principles of inverse optimisation and its use in IMRT planning
 Discuss the influence of physical and biological factors on optimisation of IMRT
plans
 Critique and evaluate current evidence in IMRT treatment planning for a variety of
sites
Syllabus:
Specific topics addressed in this module include:
 Physical properties of IMRT overview including the rationale, advantages and
disadvantages, imaging for IMRT, delivery techniques and checks and optimization (10
hours)
 Inverse planning process including dose calculation and modeling, prescription
preparation, specific sites where IMRT is applicable and QA procedures (10 hours)
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Practical sessions using IMRT module of Eclipse™ planning system (65 hours including
journal club based on current publications on IMRT, practical sessions and plan
preparation in the designated sites)
Incorporation of biological parameters as cost functions in optimisation process (3
hours)
Integral dose and secondary malignancies (2 hours)
Assessment and weighting structure of marks:
Completed IMRT treatment plan (40% weighting)
1,500 word assignment discussing the rationale and evidence behind the routine use of IMRT in
this site (60% weighting).
Suggested Reading
Clinical Target Volumes in Conformal and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy: A Clinical
Guide to Cancer Treatment. V. Gregoire et al. Springer 2004
Image Guided IMRT. T. Bortfeld et al. Springer 2006
Guidelines for the Verification of IMRT ESTRO Publication No. 9
Module Number:
Module Title:
ECTS Allocation:
Module Coordinator:
Teaching Staff:
10
Treatment Planning for Specialist Techniques
10
Michelle Leech
Michelle Leech, Carol Burke, Louise O’Neill
Aims:
This module outlines advanced treatment planning techniques in specialist areas such as cranial
and extracranial stereotactic radiotherapy and radiosurgery, brachytherapy and total body
irradiation and craniospinal irradiation.
Teaching and Learning Strategies:
Lectures, practical laboratories, self-directed learning
Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
 Explain the rationale behind the use of specialist techniques in radiotherapy
 Describe the principles of brachytherapy for gynaecological, prostate and breast
cancers and discuss their application in clinical practice
 Explain the procedure for treatment planning of total body irradiation and craniospinal techniques
 Discuss cranial stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and radiotherapy (SRT) treatment
planning procedures
 Describe the treatment planning process for gated stereotactic radiotherapy for
extra-cranial sites such as lung and pancreatic cancers.
Syllabus:
Specific topics addressed in this module include some of:
 Principles of brachytherapy treatment planning, including radiobiological
concepts (10 hours)
 Treatment planning for brachytherapy in prostate cancer (6 hours)
 Mammosite™ treatment planning for breast cancer (2 hour)
 Review of pineoblastoma and medulloblastoma (2 hours)
 Preparation of craniospinal treatment plans: importance of spinal cord
depth calculations (practical session 5 hours)
 Indications for total body irradiation (TBI), methods of delivery, patient
positioning, dose constraints and side effects. (3 hours)
 Simulation, test doses and treatment planning for TBI (4 hours)
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Principles of stereotaxy (2 hours)
Overview of cranial sterotactic immobilisation methods (3 hours)
Overview of lesions treated by SRS/SRT with indications and dose levels
and constraints(8 hours)
Assessment and weighting structure of marks:
3,000 word assignment on the principles, treatment planning considerations and clinical
application of specialist techniques (100% weighting)
Suggested Reading
Radiation Oncology Physics Handbook International Atomic Energy Agency. (available on line)
Practical Radiotherapy Planning A. Barrett, J. Dobbs et al. (Fourth edition)
Cancer Principles and Practice of Oncology. V.T. DeVita et al (Eighth edition)
Cancer Staging Handbook. TNM Classification of Malignant Tumours (sixth edition) American
Joint Committee on Cancer (2002)
QUANTEC Int. J. Radiation Oncology Biol. Phys., Vol. 76, No. 3, Supplement, pp. S3–S9, 2010
Module Number:
Module Title:
ECTS Allocation:
Module Coordinator:
Supervising Staff:
11
Research Dissertation
30
Mary Coffey
Michelle Leech, Maria Broderick
Aims: To carry out a substantial independent piece of research related to Radiation Therapy
Treatment Planning
Teaching and Learning Strategies:
Independent research supported by a research supervisor, two presentation sessions (proposal
and literature review)
Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
 critique the research process.
 appraise their chosen aspect of Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning
Syllabus: No set syllabus
Assessment: MSc candidates must complete a substantial research project in Year 2 leading to a
submission of a dissertation of approximately 20,000 words. Whilst completing the dissertation,
students will normally be based in their workplace. A supervisor from the Discipline of Radiation
Therapy will be appointed to assist the student through the radiotherapy treatment planning
project and dissertation. Students will be offered subject areas within the field of radiation
therapy treatment planning but will have scope to choose a project that complements their daily
work. Students must submit their dissertation by the prescribed date of 31 August at the latest,
and must obtain a pass mark in order to be eligible for consideration for a Masters degree. The
examinations, coursework and dissertation are subject to external review. External examiners
appointed to the existing MSc in Advanced Radiotherapy Practice will be competent as experts in
radiation therapy to also function as external examiner to this strand.
4.3 Assessment and progression
1). Students must achieve a pass rate of 50% in all modules to successfully complete the course.
2). Students who fail the written assignments will meet with the course director and the module
coordinator at the earliest opportunity and will be supported in additional work required for
successful completion of the module in question. One resubmission of assignments for modules
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1,2, 7-10) will be permitted by an appointed date held within 6 weeks of the announcement of
failing the particular assignment. A re-submitted assignment will not be capped. A failed open
exam statistics in Module 1 will be re-taken in the supplemental examination session.
3). The Court of Examiners will meet at the end of year 1 to moderate assignments on the taught
modules of the course and all the results obtained by the student in year 1 in order to return endof-year results to the Student Records Office.
4). Students who fail year 1 failing to accumulate 60 ECTS and failing to pass the taught
component of the course will not be permitted to proceed to year 2, must withdraw from the
course without being eligible to be considered for any award. Students must have successfully
completed all the assignments before submission of their research dissertation.
5). Students who have successfully passed the taught component of the course and accumulated
60 ECTS but who do not wish, are recommended not to proceed to the dissertation stage or if
they have submitted but then failed the dissertation will be considered for a Postgraduate
Diploma (exit award). Graduates with a Postgraduate Diploma may not subsequently register for
the course to attempt to complete it for an award of the Masters degree. Students who have
achieved an overall 70% in all the assignments without failing any of them and/or achieving less
than 60% in any of the assignments will be eligible for consideration for the award of
Postgraduate Diploma with Distinction.
6). A Masters dissertation will be submitted and examined in line with the General Regulations for
Taught Graduate Courses stated in Section 3 of the University of Dublin Calendar part 2 for Graduate
Studies and Higher Degrees for a given year.
Module Weighting Structure
The six modules contribute equally to the grade awarded at the end of the first year. The
research dissertation contributes to the MSc component.
Module
Title
1
Research Methodology and
Statistics
2
7
Imaging: Physical
Properties, Clinical
Applications and
Radiological Anatomy
2D and 3D Conformal
Treatment Planning
8
Contouring for Treatment
Planning
9
IMRT Treatment Planning
Assessment Method
Statistics open book
examination
Research Proposal
Allocation of
Marks
40%
60%
OSCE
2,000 word assignment
40%
60%
Workbook
1500word written assignment
65%
35%
Logbook
Written Assignment
C
70%
30%
Completed treatment plan
40%
1500 word assignment on the
60%
rationale behind the use of
IMRT in this site
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10
11
Treatment Planning for
Specialist Techniques
Research Dissertation
3,000 word written assignment
100%
Dissertation
100%
5. Course Committee
5.1 Ex officio Committee Members
The membership of the MSc. Advanced Radiotherapy Practice (Radiation Therapy Treatment
Planning strand) course committee will include the following:
ROLE
NAME/POSITION/AFFILIATION
Course Director (Chair)
Ms Mary Coffey,
Head of Discipline,
Discipline of Radiation Therapy, TCD
Prof. Donal Hollywood,
Marie Curie Professor of Clinical
Oncology,
Department of Clinical Medicine, TCD
Representative from the Department of Clinical
Medicine
Radiation Therapy Representative
Ms. Laura Mullaney,
Clinical Specialist Radiation Therapist,
NCCP, St. James’s Hospital Campus
Ms. Michelle Leech
Lecturer in Radiation Therapy
Discipline of Radiation Therapy, TCD
Course Coordinator
Radiation Safety Officer (Radiographer)
Representative
Postgraduate Student Representative
To be confirmed 2011
Administrative Officer
Mrs Dalene Dougall,
Executive Officer,
Discipline of Radiation Therapy, TCD.
5.2 Admissions Sub-Committee
ROLE
NAME/POSITION/AFFILIATION
Course Director (Chair)
Representative from the Department of Clinical
Medicine
Ms. Mary Coffey,
Head of Disicpline,
Discipline of Radiation Therapy, TCD
Prof. Donal Hollywood,
Marie Curie Professor of Clinical
Oncology,
Department of Clinical Medicine, TCD
Representative from Discipline of Radiation Therapy
Dr. Charles Gillham,
Consultant Radiation Oncologist
Lecturer in Radiation Oncology
Discipline of Radiation Therapy, TCD
Course Coordinator
Ms. Michelle Leech
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Radiation Safety Officer (Radiographer)
Representative
Lecturer in Radiation Therapy
Discipline of Radiation Therapy, TCD
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Appendix 1: Calendar Part 2 entry for 2011
MSc in Advanced Radiotherapy Practice M.Sc./P.Grad.Dip. (exit only
The course consist of two strands: Advanced Radiotherapy and Radiation Therapy
Treatment Planning each leading to the same M.Sc. degree award.
Aim: The aim of this course is to enable Radiation Therapists to build on their current skills
set, through teaching and their own research, in order to work at an advanced level within the
radiotherapy department and/or the radiotherapy treatment planning area.
Admission to each strand:
Applications will be accepted from those who:
 Hold a primary degree in Radiation Therapy or Medical Physics
 Hold an equivalent qualification
 Have confirmed access to a treatment planning department. Candidates cannot be
accepted onto the programme unless they have access organised at the time of
application.
Otherwise satisfy the course admission committee that they have the ability to complete and
benefit from the course.
Location: The course will be mainly based in the Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St
James’s Hospital.
Strand content of Advanced Radiotherapy Practice

Research Methodology and Statistics (10 ECTS) (shared with Radiation Therapy
Treatment Planning)

Imaging: Physical Properties, Clinical Application and Radiological
Anatomy(10ECTS) (shared with Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning)

Management (10 ECTS)

Psychological and Social Issues in Cancer Care (10 ECTS)

Pharmacology, Advanced Practice and Site Specialisation (10 ECTS)

Evidence-based Radiation Therapy Practice (10 ECTS)

Research Dissertation (30 ECTS) (shared with Radiation Therapy Treatment
Planning)
Strand content of Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning

Research Methodology and Statistics (10 ECTS) (shared with Advanced
Radiotherapy Practice)

Imaging: Physical Properties, Clinical Application and Radiological
Anatomy(10ECTS) (shared with Advanced Radiotherapy Practice)

2D and 3D Conformal Treatment Planning (10 ECTS)

Contouring for Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning (10 ECTS)
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
IMRT Treatment Planning (10 ECTS)

Treatment Planning for Specialist Techniques (10 ECTS)

Research Dissertation (30 ECTS) (shared with Advanced Radiotherapy Practice)
Assessment: students must achieve 50% in each module, including the dissertation, of the
course to fulfil criteria for the award of the M.Sc. in Advanced Radiotherapy Practice and
Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning. Students will be required to complete a research
dissertation of approximately 12,000 words. This research project will be carried out in the
second year. Each student will be assigned a supervisor with whom they will meet at regular
intervals. The student will be required to submit a research proposal and an ethics application
prior to commencing the data collection. At the end of this module the student will present
their research findings in a dissertation format and paper format. The dissertation will follow
the following format: Literature review, Research Methodology, Results, Discussion. The
student will also submit a report of the research in a paper format of no more than 3,500
words.
Students who have successfully passed the taught component of the course and accumulated 60
ECTS but who do not wish to proceed to the dissertation stage will be considered for a
Postgraduate Diploma (exit award). Graduates with a Postgraduate Diploma may not
subsequently register for the course to attempt to complete it for an award of the Masters degree.
Students who have achieved an overall 70% in all the assignments without failing any of them
and/or achieving less than 60% in any of the assignments will be eligible for consideration for
the award of Postgraduate Diploma with Distinction.
Course Director: Mrs. Mary Coffey
Course Co-ordinator: Ms. Michelle Leech
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Appendix 2: Prospectus entry for 20011
MSc in Advanced Radiotherapy Practice M.Sc./P.Grad.Dip. (exit only
The course consist of two strands: Advanced Radiotherapy and Radiation Therapy
Treatment Planning each leading to the same M.Sc. degree award.
Course code:
awaited
Duration:
Two year part-time
Course Director:
Mrs. Mary Coffey
Deadline for applications:
30th June 2011
Enquiries to:
Course Coordinator: Ms. Michelle Leech, Lecturer, Division of Radiation
Therapy, School of Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St James’s
Hospital, Dublin 8.
Email:
Michelle.Leech@tcd.ie
Introduction: MSc in Advanced Radiotherapy Practice
Aim: The aim of this course is to enable Radiation Therapists to build on their current skills
set, through teaching and their own research, in order to work at an advanced level within the
radiotherapy department.
Admission:
Applications will be accepted from those who:

Hold a primary degree in Radiation Therapy or Medical Physics

Hold an equivalent qualification

Have confirmed access to a treatment planning department. Candidates cannot be
accepted onto the programme unless they have access organised at the time of
application.
Otherwise satisfy the course admission committee that they have the ability to complete and
benefit from the course.
Location: The course will be mainly based in the Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St
James’s Hospital.
Strand content:

Research Methodology and Statistics (10 ECTS) (shared with Radiation Therapy
Treatment Planning)

Imaging: Physical Properties, Clinical Application and Radiological
Anatomy(10ECTS) (shared with Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning)

Management (10 ECTS)

Psychological and Social Issues in Cancer Care (10 ECTS)
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
Pharmacology, Advanced Practice and Site Specialisation (10 ECTS)

Evidence-based Radiation Therapy Practice (10 ECTS)

Research Dissertation (30 ECTS) (shared with Radiation Therapy Treatment
Planning)
Introduction: MSc in Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning
Aim: The aim of this course is to enable Radiation Therapists to build on their current skills
set, through teaching and their own research, in order to work at an advanced level within the
radiotherapy treatment planning department.
Admission:
Applications will be accepted from those who:

Hold a primary degree in Radiation Therapy or Medical Physics

Hold an equivalent qualification

Have confirmed access to a treatment planning department. Candidates cannot be
accepted onto the programme unless they have access organised at the time of
application.
Otherwise satisfy the course admission committee that they have the ability to complete and
benefit from the course.
Location: The course will be mainly based in the Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St
James’s Hospital.
Strand content :

Research Methodology and Statistics (10 ECTS) (shared with Advanced
Radiotherapy Practice)

Imaging: Physical Properties, Clinical Application and Radiological
Anatomy(10ECTS) (shared with Advanced Radiotherapy Practice)

2D and 3D Conformal Treatment Planning (10 ECTS)

Contouring for Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning (10 ECTS)

IMRT Treatment Planning (10 ECTS)

Treatment Planning for Specialist Techniques (10 ECTS)

Research Dissertation (30 ECTS) (shared with Advanced Radiotherapy Practice)

24
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