Patient preferences for timing and access to radiation therapy

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiation Therapy
• Patient-Centered Care

Background:

• Radiation therapy (RT) is a cornerstone of cancer treatment.
• Optimizing patient access to RT services is crucial for treatment adherence and outcomes.
• Understanding patient preferences can guide service delivery improvements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate patient preferences for radiation therapy (RT) access, including timing and travel.
• To identify ideal and reasonable parameters for RT appointment scheduling and consultation intervals.
• To inform the design of RT services that better align with patient needs.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to 1053 patients completing RT across 6 centers.
• Patients rated preferences for time of day, day of week, and travel times for RT.
• Preferences for time between referral and first oncologic consultation were also assessed.
• Exclusions included single-fraction RT and brachytherapy alone.

Main Results:

• 88% preferred RT between 08:00 and 16:30 on weekdays; 10-20% expressed willingness for weekend or extended weekday hours.
• A majority (82%) reported travel times of 1 hour or less, with 61% deeming longer travel reasonable.
• 88% and 73% considered a first consultation within 2 weeks ideal or reasonable, respectively.

Conclusions:

• RT services should prioritize weekday availability from 08:00 to 16:30.
• Incorporating 10-20% capacity for weekends and extended weekday hours may meet some patient needs.
• A 2-week or shorter interval between referral and first consultation is preferred by most patients.