Browsing by Author "Oliveira, S."
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- Focus group as a tool in the development of procedures in radiation therapyPublication . Ramos, Magda Cruz; Brás, S.; Oliveira, S.; Eiras, MargaridaMorgan defines a focus group as “a research technique that collects data through group interaction on a topic determined by the researcher.” This definition provides the 3 major components of the focus group research: (1) A method devoted to data collection, (2) interaction as a source of data, and (3) the active role of the researcher in creating group discussion for data collection. This technique emerged as a qualitative data collection approach and a bridging strategy for scientific research and local knowledge. In this setting, the researcher facilitates or moderates a group discussion between participants and not between the researcher and the participants. The fact that the group process helps people to identify and clarify their views is an important advantage of focus groups compared with individual interviews. Is typically used in health care research to (1) develop or improve research instruments (eg, interview guides, questionnaires); (2) explore issues and generate data; and (3) evaluate and validate findings from other research methods (or triangulation). Focus group discussion is a technique in which a researcher gathers a group of individuals to discuss a specific topic. In this case, the participants will examine a prototype tool in radiation therapy, aiming to purposefully generate meaningful opinions, suggestions, and feedback. This study aims to present the focus group as a tool for use and multidisciplinary collaboration within a healthcare team, to outline the implementation steps in the specific case of developing a procedure/resource for subsequent application, and to assess the acceptance and feasibility of their implementation.
- Ionometric and fricke electron and gamma dosimetry for the implementation of waste water treatment by radiation in PortugalPublication . Ferreira, P.; Jacob, K.; Rosat, M.; Galhós, R.; Serrai, F.; Oliveira, S.; Teixeira, Nuno; Ramalho, M.Application of radiation as an efficient process to reduce the microbial levels in materials (food, environmental, health care products). Irradiation of organic and inorganic compounds with electron and gamma rays can modify the micro organisms, depending on the energy, dose rate, and others variables related to the irradiation conditions. Anthropogenic sources have been responsible for introducing high levels of chemical elements and compounds into the environment, many of this through the industrial waste waters. This is an issue of global concern, with potential impact on human health and the environment. IAEA recognizes the potentiality of radiation technology to clean up waste discharges, and since 2003 IAEA participate in this project. Although this is a multidisciplinary project, by the physical point of view the main objective is to characterize the most efficient electron (by intercomparison with gamma) beam, obtaining the better irradiation geometry, to implement waste water (originated in hospitals, food industry ...) treatments. Until now, we've characterized electron beams with Ionometric and fricke dosimetry at non-standard irradiation conditions, in commercial Linacs for radiotherapy purposes. We used a Varian Clinac 2100 CD, with the special TBI ETRAY conditions and nominal dose rate of 1000 UM/min, and an Elekta Digital Precise with nominal dose rate of 400 UM/min. The better dose rates obtained in water were approximately equal to 1.4 kGy/h and 0.7 kGy/h, respectively. The impact of the radiation has been studied microbiologically, toxicologically and chemically, and the evaluation between this kind of radiation and cobalt gamma radiation is also carried out at the same time. The results obtained until know and the continuous support of the IAEA experts in the project, indicates that this project will contribute to a better quality of the Portuguese industrial or hospital complexes, minimising the impact of pollutants on the environment.