Australian and New Zealand radiation oncology work practices in 2000

In 1996, a Faculty of Radiation Oncology (FRO) survey was sent to all practising radiation oncologists in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) ascertaining work practices and attitudes (n = 138). In December 2000, we sent all practising ANZ radiation oncologists (n = 183) a survey in which we reproduced questions about work practice (response rate 75%). The majority of ANZ radiation oncologists were male (n = 102, 73.9%), in full time employment (n = 125, 90.6%) and subspecialized (n = 103, 74.6%). The median number of new patients seen per year was 300 (range, 10-700). However, 15% of radiation oncologists saw 350 new patients per year and 19% saw greater than 400 new patients per year. The median time allocated to work was 50 h each week. Nearly all respondents (90%) desired some amount of protected time with a median desirable of eight hours each week (range, 2-30 h, mode 8 h). The majority (n = 95, 68.8%) of respondents were members of TROG. A minority (n = 25, 18.1%) had obtained a postgraduate qualification. Many also had a clinical academic appointment (n = 60, 43.5%). Over 70 percent of respondents (n = 100, 72.5%) indicated enrollment of their patients in clinical trials. The increase in radiation oncologists with postgraduate qualifications and commitment to clinical research, through TROG membership and patients recruited to clinical trials, is very encouraging. However, our findings demonstrate little, if any, improvement in the total weekly clinical workload of a radiation oncologist. The recent move to subspecialization has not resulted in a decrease in clinical workload. In some aspects of work practice, such as time for self-education and research, the situation appears to be worsening.