Author: Paul B. Ravindran 👨🔬
Affiliation: Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research 🌍
Purpose: In the past decades, Master's programs in Medical Physics in India have made significant strides, though many have faced challenges in accessing adequate resources for didactic lectures and practical training. To address this gap, structured courses covering topics such as Basic Radiotherapy Physics, Radiobiology, Radiation Safety, Bunker Design, and TRS 398 Code of Practice were developed. These courses, offered with video lectures for a small fee, aimed to supplement students' learning. To understand the students’ needs better, a survey was conducted, focusing on preferred topics, the choice between live or recorded lectures, the year of study, and interest in a learning management system (LMS).
Methods: A survey among Master’s students gathered preferences on course topics, delivery modes, and LMS engagement. Moodle was selected as the primary LMS, integrating H5P for interactivity. Course offerings included Radiation Protection, Physics of External Beam Therapy, Radiobiology, TRS 398, and advanced techniques. Modules featured interactive content such as drag-and-drop exercises, 360-degree virtual tours of an IGRT LINAC room, video lectures, and quizzes. Live lectures were conducted bi-monthly using the Zoom platform to complement the asynchronous content.
Results: Survey results indicated 90% of students prioritized radiation protection lectures, driven by statutory requirements. Additional preferences included radiation dosimetry, special techniques, and basic radiation physics. About 70% students favored a combination of live and recorded lectures. Preliminary feedback revealed high student engagement and satisfaction with interactive and accessible materials. Registrants increased across diverse regions, underscoring the platform’s broad appeal.
Conclusion: The Moodle-based LMS, enhanced by H5P interactivity and virtual tours, provides an innovative and scalable solution for medical physics education. Its integration of diverse learning methods fosters active engagement and supports students in mastering complex concepts. Future developments may include extended reality tools to further enhance experiential learning.