SCMPCR E-Learning Program (ELP-09): An Initiative to Advance Brachytherapy Practices
1. Introduction
The South Asia Centre for Medical Physics and Cancer Research (SCMPCR), in collaboration with the Alo Bhubon Trust (Alo-BT), successfully conducted the SCMPCR E-learning Program (ELP-09): Brachytherapy Practices for Medical Physicists and Radiation Oncologists – Intracavitary and Interstitial Procedures from November 1 to November 22, 2024.
As radiation oncology continues to evolve, brachytherapy remains a crucial modality that offers precise, localized radiation delivery with minimal impact on surrounding healthy tissues. However, access to standardized brachytherapy training remains limited in many regions, creating disparities in treatment quality.
To bridge this gap, SCMPCR ELP-09 was designed as a structured, interactive, and globally accessible program, offering specialized training in brachytherapy to medical physicists, radiation oncologists, and radiotherapy professionals. The program successfully integrated theoretical concepts with real-world applications, providing an advanced understanding of dosimetry, imaging, quality assurance, and treatment planning.
The program was officially accredited by the International Organization for Medical Physics (IOMP) and awarded 16 CPD points to participants who successfully completed the assessment. The curriculum consisted of nine live lectures (1 hour each) and a final examination (1-hour MCQ-based test) conducted on the ClassMarker platform.
With participation from over 15 countries across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America, SCMPCR ELP-09 had a truly global impact, reinforcing SCMPCR’s commitment to strengthening international collaboration in radiation oncology and medical physics education.
2. Objectives and Global Significance
The primary objectives of SCMPCR ELP-09 were:
- To enhance global expertise in brachytherapy, focusing on intracavitary and interstitial procedures.
- To introduce cutting-edge imaging techniques (MRI, CT, Ultrasound) in adaptive brachytherapy.
- To establish standardized training for medical physicists and radiation oncologists, ensuring uniform best practices worldwide.
- To facilitate international collaboration between professionals, institutions, and industry partners.
- To promote the integration of emerging technologies, such as AI-driven treatment planning and real-time adaptive brachytherapy.
The program not only empowered local medical professionals with specialized knowledge but also enhanced global clinical practices, ensuring that brachytherapy techniques are consistently applied across different healthcare systems.
By integrating expert faculty, industry leaders, and global participants, SCMPCR ELP-09 successfully strengthened international cooperation in cancer treatment and research.
3. Structure of the Program
3.1 Curriculum Overview
SCMPCR ELP-09 was designed to provide a step-by-step learning experience, covering fundamental, technical, and clinical aspects of brachytherapy. Each lecture was followed by a live Q&A session, encouraging direct engagement between participants and experts.
| Lecture No. | Topic | Speaker | Moderator |
| 1 | Introduction to Dosimetric Terms and Quantities for Brachytherapy | Prof. Dr. Hasin Anupama Azhari (Bangladesh) | Dr. Mary Joan (India) |
| 2 | Advanced Techniques in Brachytherapy: Present Status and Future Development | Dr. Frank Hensley (Germany) | Shayori Bhattacharjee (India) |
| 3 | Electronic Brachytherapy: Physical Basics and Medical Applications | Dipl.-Ing. Volker Steil (Germany) | Pratiksha Shahi (Nepal) |
| 4 | Prostate Brachytherapy: Interstitial Procedures, Imaging and Contouring | Prof. Dr. Ben Vanneste (Belgium) | Dr. Shafatuj Jahan (Bangladesh) |
| 5 | Intraoperative Breast Brachytherapy: Implementation and Clinical Considerations | Dr. Sujata Sarkar (India) Mahasin Gazi (India) | Dr. Vijitha Ramanathan Srilanka |
| 6 | Intracavitary Brachytherapy in Gynecological Cancer: Techniques and Planning | Dr. med. Robert Semrau (Germany) | Dr. Shejuti Sharmin (Bangladesh) |
| 7 | Application of Vienna and Cylinder Applicators in Gynecological Brachytherapy | Prof. Dr. Pamela Jeyaraj (India) | Dr. Jannatul Ferdause (Bangladesh) |
| 8 | MRI-Based Adaptive Gynecological Brachytherapy | Dr. Raju Srivastava (Belgium) | Dr. Atif Masood (Pakistan) |
| 9 | Practical Demonstration from Industry Experts | Steven Yong (Germany), Nastik Bhandari (Australia) | Dr. Anwarul Islam (Bangladesh) |
Each session was moderated by experienced medical physicists and radiation oncologists, ensuring engaging discussions and knowledge-sharing.
4. Global and Local Impact
4.1 Global Reach and Participation
The program attracted medical physicists and radiation oncologists from over 15 countries, ensuring broad geographical representation:
- Asia-Pacific: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand
- Middle East & North Africa: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt
- Europe:Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, France
- North America: Canada, USA
This diverse international audience emphasized the growing demand for high-quality brachy therapy education and SCMPCR’s role in facilitating global knowledge exchange.
4.2 Local Impact and Clinical Applications
- Standardization of Treatment Practices: Many participants from resource-limited settings gained access to advanced treatment protocols, improving patient care quality in their institutions.
- Technology Transfer: The integration of MRI-based adaptive brachytherapy was particularly beneficial for oncology centers adopting new imaging-guided treatment techniques.
- Strengthening of Professional Networks: Many participants collaborated on research and clinical projects, fostering long-term international cooperation.
- Improving Patient Outcomes: By applying TG-43 dosimetry protocols and adaptive planning, clinics can now optimize dose delivery, minimizing complications and enhancing treatment efficacy.
5. Final Examination and Certification
The final examination, held on November 22, 2024, was a 45-question MCQ-based test conducted via ClassMarker.
- Participants scoring 50% or higher received a CPD Certificate (16 Points).
- Participants who attended but did not pass received an Attendance Certificate.
Certificates were distributed electronically, ensuring easy accessibility for all participants.
6. Conclusion and Future Directions
The SCMPCR ELP-09 program marked a significant advancement in global brachytherapy education.
SCMPCR is committed to:
- Expanding future programs into AI-driven radiation therapy & SRS/SBRT.
- Developing hybrid training models, integrating hands-on workshops.
- Strengthening collaborations with leading universities, industry leaders, and research institutions.
We extend our sincere gratitude to our faculty, moderators, industry partners, and participants for making SCMPCR ELP-09 a resounding success.