The development and implementation of a performance appraisal framework for radiation therapists in planning and simulation



Becker, Jillian, Bridge, Pete ORCID: 0000-0001-7704-9812, Brown, Elizabeth, Ferrari-Anderson, Janet and Lusk, Ryan
(2017) The development and implementation of a performance appraisal framework for radiation therapists in planning and simulation. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL RADIATION SCIENCES, 64 (4). pp. 321-327.

Access the full-text of this item by clicking on the Open Access link.
[img] Text
The development and implementation of a performance appraisal framework for radiation therapists in planning and simulation.pdf - Published version

Download (119kB) | Preview

Abstract

It is a challenge for radiation therapists (RTs) to keep pace with changing planning technology and techniques while maintaining appropriate skills levels. The ability of individual RTs to meet the demands of this constantly changing practice can only be assured through establishing clearly defined standards for practice and a systematic process for providing feedback on performance. Investigation into existing models for performance appraisal produced minimal results so a radiation therapy-specific framework was developed. The goal for this initiative was to establish a framework that would reflect the complexity of practice and provide a clear measure of performance against them. This paper outlines the implementation of this framework into practice and discusses some lessons learned in the process. The framework was developed and implemented in six stages: (1) project team, (2) scope, (3) dosimetry pilot, (4) staff consultation, (5) finalisation and implementation and (6) future development and evaluation. Both cultural and organisational obstacles needed to be addressed before this framework could be successfully introduced. Even though this slowed progress, addressing these obstacles during the development process was essential to the success of this framework. The incremental approach provided the opportunity for each aspect to be tested and the development of subsequent stages to be informed by lessons learned during the previous one. This approach may be beneficial when developing and implementing projects involving performance appraisal to promote consistency, fairness and quality.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Radiotherapy, Employee Performance Appraisal, Practice Guidelines as Topic, Radiologists
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 05 Jun 2019 09:00
Last Modified: 19 Jan 2023 00:41
DOI: 10.1002/jmrs.249
Open Access URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/jmrs.249
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3044529