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Title: Human factors evaluation of teletherapy: Training and organizational analysis. Volume 4

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/91921· OSTI ID:91921
; ;  [1]; ;  [2]
  1. Hughes Training, Inc., Falls Church, VA (United States)
  2. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC (United States). Div. of Systems Technology

A series of human factors evaluations were undertaken to better understand the contributing factors to human error in the teletherapy environment. Teletherapy is a multidisciplinary methodology for treating cancerous tissue through selective exposure to an external beam of ionizing radiation. A team of human factors specialists, assisted by a panel of radiation oncologists, medical physicists, and radiation therapists, conducted site visits to radiation oncology departments at community hospitals, university centers, and free-standing clinics. A function and task analysis was initially performed to guide subsequent evaluations in the areas of system-user interfaces, procedures, training and qualifications, and organizational policies and practices. The present work focuses solely on training and qualifications of personnel (e.g., training received before and during employment), and the potential impact of organizational factors on the performance of teletherapy. Organizational factors include such topics as adequacy of staffing, performance evaluations, commonly occurring errors, implementation of quality assurance programs, and organizational climate.

Research Organization:
US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Washington, DC (United States). Div. of Systems Technology; Hughes Training, Inc., Falls Church, VA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI ID:
91921
Report Number(s):
NUREG/CR-6277-Vol.4; ON: TI95015689; TRN: 95:017874
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: Jul 1995
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English