Shayori Bhattacharjee, Medical Physicist & RSO, Assam Medical College & Hospital, India
It was my absolute delight to have participated in the highly successful E-learning program (ELP-09), 2024 on Brachytherapy Practices for Medical Physicists and Radiation Oncologists, conducted by the South Asia Centre for Medical Physics and Cancer Research (SCMPCR). Even more overwhelming was that I felt deeply honoured to have been among the privileged nine moderators selected for this esteemed event.

As an academic in the field of medical physics from India, I am eager to share my thoughts and insights about the E- Learning Program (ELP-09). This program has not only showcased the centre’s commitment to excellence in medical physics education but has also demonstrated the power of collaborative learning in the digital age.
Most of the errors in brachytherapy treatment delivery are the results of human error, miscommunications, or misunderstanding of equipment operation rather than failure of devices. Therefore, it is essential that all members of the brachytherapy team are adequately trained. Besides training, formulating standard operating procedures and designing roadmaps for successful implementation of a brachytherapy program are all vital in the safe and successful practice of brachytherapy.
Recognizing this imperative, and to impart adequate theoretical and practical knowledge on brachytherapy practices, SCMPCR created a virtual gateway for medical physics education through its E-learning Program (ELP-09) on the topic “Brachytherapy Practices for Medical Physicists and Radiation Oncologists – Intracavitary and Interstitial Procedures” during November 1-22, 2024 to enrich the knowledge and skills of the practitioners of this efficient form of treatment. This course included a series of lectures on brachytherapy and its recent developments followed by group discussions, and online examinations.
Experienced international faculties from various regions of the world shared their expertise and insights in this program. More than 100 participants joined this program from different countries. SCMPCR E-learning program (ELP-09) provided the participants with 16 continuous professional development (CPD) credits points accredited by the International Organization for Medical Physics (IOMP).

On 1st November, 2024, the E-learning session started with a keynote address delivered by Prof. Dr Golam Abu Zakaria, the Chairman of SCMPCR, setting the tone for the event, speaking about the importance of E-learning programs along with addressing the pressing challenges faced by the medical physics society and reaffirming the belief in the transformative potential to shape a more sustainable and equitable world. In the following paragraphs, I will reflect on my experiences thereby highlighting the programs strengths, challenges and key takeaways.
Topics Covered:
Lecture 1: The very first lecture of the session was delivered on 1st Nov, 2024 by renowned Prof. Dr. Hasin Anupama Azhari, Director of SCMPCR and Professor at the Centre for Biomedical Science and Engineering, United International University, Bangladesh on the topic “Introduction of Dosimetric terms & Quantities for Brachytherapy Procedure” covering the basics of brachytherapy and its quantities, TG-43 dose calculation formalism, 3D dosimetry and its uncertainties, QA in dose delivery and patient safety.

Lecture 2: The second lecture was on “Advanced Technique in Brachytherapy” by Dr Frank W Hensley, Retired Medical Physicist from University of Heidelberg on 2nd Nov, 2024. It provided an insightful view on techniques such as combination of intracavitary and interstitial applications, design of individual applicators with 3D printing, directionally modulated brachytherapy and electromagnetic tracking in brachytherapy.
Lecture 3: The third lecture of the session was on “Electronic Brachytherapy: Physical Basics and Medical Applications” by Dipl-Ing, Volker Steil, Former Chief Medical Physicist at the University Medical Centre, Mannheim on 3rd Nov, 2024 highlighting the advancements in intraoperative irradiation with brachytherapy, treatment planning system like Kypho IORT and also discussed elaborately about IORT for brain metastases.
Lecture 4: The fourth lecture of the session delved into the “Prostate Brachytherapy” by Dr Ben Vanneste, Radiation Oncologist at UZ Ghent, Belgium on 8th Nov, 2024 who shared his valuable expertise on the brachytherapy procedure, indications and its clinical results.
Lecture 5: The fifth lecture of the session was on “Brachytherapy in Gynaecological Cancer Treatment” on 10thNov, 2024 by Dr Robert Semrau from Strahlentherapie Bonn-Rhein-Sieg, Germany. The lecture covered treatment methodologies along with discussions on the different brachytherapy applicators like ring, tandem, and hybrid for both interstitial and intracavitary technique.
Lecture 6: The sixth lecture was on “Intraoperative Breast Brachytherapy: Implementation and Clinical Considerations” on 12th Nov, 2024 by Dr Sujata Sarkar, Radiation Oncologist and Mr. Mahasin Gazi, Medical Physicist from Apollo Hospital, India. The lecture provided a comprehensive overview of IORT, the clinical procedure, surgical techniques, forward and inverse technique of dose optimization and its applications advantages.
Lecture 7: The lecture on “Application of Vienna/Cylinder applicator in Gynaecological Brachytherapy” by Dr Pamela Alice Jeyaraj, Prof and Head in Christian Medical College, India provided a comprehensive overview on the evolution of brachytherapy applicators and different templates of interstitial brachytherapy, Syed-Neblett template, MUPIT, and Vienna applicator highlighting how these applicators can be utilized to allow for precise targeting of tumours.
Lecture 8: The eighth lecture of the session was on “MRI Based adaptive Gynaecological Brachytherapy” presented by Dr Raju Srivastava, Medical Physicist, University Hospital of Ghent, Belgium on 16th Nov, 2024. The lecture explained the ICRU 89/GEC-ESTRO recommendations along with some case presentations.
Lecture 9: The ninth lecture of the session was on “Brachytherapy – Interstitial and intercavitary procedures” by the industrial partners both BEBIG and VARIAN on 17th Nov, 2024 provided a comprehensive overview of the different HDR products including CT/MR applicators, and different treatment planning systems.

As a participant, I had a great privilege of participating in the SCMPCR E-learning program (ELP-09) 2024, which offered a comprehensive exploration of brachytherapy principles, specifically tailored for precision radiotherapy techniques. I wish to thank everyone in the organizing team and the course coordinators for arranging this highly useful online program. I am sure like me, many would have greatly benefited. I hope in the future more such programs would be arranged for the benefit of young medical physicists.