Snapshot of a Specialty: Results of the ABR 2016 Radiation Oncology Clinical Practice Analysis

Beginning in 2010, the ABR has administered triennial clinical practice analysis surveys to inform examination development volunteers and staff about the actual state of radiation oncology practice.

As reported here, the 2016 survey was designed to provide objective data regarding actual patient volumes of specific disease sites and subjective insight as to the importance and relevance of site-specific therapy to individual practices.

The survey instrument was circulated to 4,075 radiation oncologists listed in the membership database of the American Society for Radiation Oncology, and responses were received from 690 (16.9%); a total of 287 (41.5%) self-identified as being in academic practice. Even in the academic setting, a majority (216 of 287, or 75.3%) indicated that they spend most of their time in clinical practice.

Data from the survey are informative regarding changes in the practice of radiation oncology over the past 6 years.