12-hour Shifts for Radiation Therapists

In Canada, Radiation Therapy program hours have ranged between 8 and 10 hours a day. Some centres have an option of a 4-day, 10-hour-day workweek. In 2012, Cancer Care Ontario released their Radiation Treatment Capital Investment Strategy. In this, they mandated that in order to maximize the use of current infrastructure, cancer centres will need to be operational for 12 hours in the future. This strategy was supported by a cost-benefit analysis.

Currently, Ontario Radiation Therapy managers are developing a 12-hour staffing model. The objective of this study was to determine radiation therapists' (RTs) perceptions on 12-hour shifts.

A survey, both quantitative and qualitative, was developed based on a comprehensive review of the current literature. The survey was distributed to 126 RTs at the Juravinski Cancer Centre and the Walker Family Cancer Centre. There were 48 respondents to the survey. Data were analyzed using the Sign Test and Kruskal-Wallis test to determine the difference from the null hypothesis (neutral).

The results revealed that RTs have a neutral interest in working 12-hour shifts and that there is a greater number of recognized disadvantages and concerns associated with 12-hour shifts than benefits. Although the extra days off are desired, burnout, scheduling, poor quality of life outside of work, and the challenges with operating such a system with multiple departments seem to have a greater impact on the opinions of RTs.

In conclusion, further research on staffing models, the incorporation of other departments, and an arrangement of sufficient breaks to prevent fatigue are needed to make 12-hour shifts a more attractive and feasible option to RTs.