What is the purpose of progression criteria in a dosimetric plan?

• A. To outline which modality to choose
• B. To decide appointment times
• C. To determine when to advance intensity or adjust parameters
• D. To document patient preferences

Answer: (C)

Progression criteria are the predefined rules that tell you when and how to advance treatment settings, such as increasing intensity or adjusting other parameters, during a dosimetric plan. They base decisions on how the patient responds to therapy—tolerance, absence of adverse effects, and achieving the desired therapeutic effect—to ensure dose increases are safe and effective. By establishing these thresholds, the plan stays systematic and reproducible, guiding changes session to session rather than making arbitrary adjustments. This focus on when to escalate intensity or modify parameters is what makes it the correct concept.

The other options don’t fit because choosing which modality to use is about selecting the tool, scheduling appointment times is about logistics, and documenting patient preferences relates to patient values and consent. These aspects are important but not about how and when to progress the treatment dose.