First workplace integration of beginner RTTs: The importance of soft-skills training programs
PO-2293
Abstract
First workplace integration of beginner RTTs: The importance of soft-skills training programs
Authors: Zeineb Naimi1, Ons Mdimagh2, Meriem El Bessi1, Meriem Bohli1, Raouia Ben Amor1, Awatef Hamdoun1, Rihab Haddad1, Lotfi Kochbati1
1Abderrahmen Mami Hospital, Radiation Oncology Department, Ariana, Tunisia; 2Institute of Health Sciences and Techniques of Tunis, Radiotherapy and Medical Imaging Department, Tunis, Tunisia
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Purpose or Objective
This study aimed to assess hardships experienced by beginner RTTs at their first workplace and to analyse the coping strategies used to face these challenges.
Material and Methods
Data were collected by a self-reported questionnaire delivered to RTTs working in four Departments of Radiation Oncology in Tunis, Tunisia. The questionnaire included 27 items: 15 items to evaluate emotional, social and technical difficulties faced by beginner RTTs at their first workplace and 12 items to assess the coping strategies and their efficiency to face these difficulties.
Results
A total of 30 RTTs completed the questionnaire with a sex ratio of 0.2. Sixty-eight percent of the participants worked in a public Department of Radiation Oncology. Eighty percent of the surveyed RTTs faced integration difficulties at their first workplace. These hardships were mainly emotional (86% of cases) with high level of stress and anxiety and inadequate emotional attachment to cancer patients. Sixty-two percent of study participants reported communication difficulties with both patients (59%) and RT team members (72%). Technical hardships were reported by 67% of RTTs. The hardest task for beginner RTTs was matching images at the treatment station (73%). The mean required period of adaptation according to RTTs was 3 months, ranging between 2 weeks and one year. Mentoring programs and strong collaboration with experienced RTTs were considered helpful to face technical difficulties by 96% of study participants. All surveyed RTTs considered that soft skills training programs are necessary to help beginner RTTs develop communication skills, team working and conflict-resolution and to enable an efficient integration at workplace. Nonetheless, only 25% of the surveyed RTTs attended similar training programs.
Conclusion
These findings underscore the importance of soft skills training and mentorship programs to enable efficient integration and professional development of beginner RTTs. Further effort is needed to prepare these programs and enlarge their access to oncology healthcare professionals.