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New radiation therapy simulation lab gives students real-world experience

University of Newcastle students now have access to the most comprehensive radiation therapy simulation laboratory in Australia.

The new laboratory which opened this month - the only one of its kind in Australia - allows students to also be trained in the initial phase of radiation therapy, simulation.

Radiation Therapy Lecturer, Yolanda Surjan, said simulation was a process where radiation treatment fields were defined to allow radiation dose delivery to the tumour and at the same time reduce the dose to the normal surrounding tissue.

“The new lab will create a realistic hospital environment for students to learn how to develop patient treatment set-ups including immobilisation devices such as individualised masks used to ensure a patient remains in one position throughout the therapy to reduce the possibility of a ‘geographical miss’ during radiation delivery,” Ms Surjan said.

The University already offers students a radiation therapy computer planning room and a 3-dimensional VERT (Virtual training) treatment facility.

 “The University of Newcastle is the largest trainer of radiation therapists in Australia and this suite of technologies ensures our students will graduate with a wealth of practical experience," she said.

“We are the only university in Australia to offer this comprehensive, hands-on experience to radiation therapy students.”

Find out more about our Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Radiation Therapy).