A ustralian radiation therapy – Part two: Reflections of the past, the present, the future

Abstract Introduction Documentation on the history of A ustralian radiotherapy is limited. This study provides radiation therapists' ( RT s) perspectives of the people, workplace, and work practices in A ustralian radiotherapy centres from 1960 onwards. It provides a follow‐up to our previous study: Australian radiation therapy: An overview – Part one , which outlines the history and development of radiotherapy from conception until present day. Methods Four focus groups were conducted on separate occasions in 2010, one in S outh A ustralia and three in V ictoria, A ustralia. Participants who worked in radiotherapy were purposively selected to ensure a range of experience, age, and years of work. Results From a RT perspective, radiotherapy has evolved from a physically demanding ‘hands‐on’ work environment, often with unpleasant sights and smells of disease, to a more technology‐driven workplace. Conclusion Understanding these changes and their subsequent effects on the role of A ustralian RT s will assist future directions in advanced role development.