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Examining Radiation Treatment Appointment Times at a Canadian Cancer Centre: A Timing Study.
Evan Stewart1, Ian Sun1, Cecilia Kim1
1Department of Radiation Therapy, Vancouver Cancer Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences
|October 21, 2019
Summary
Radiation therapy appointment times are often too short, especially for complex treatments and patients needing mobility assistance. Regularly evaluating booking durations is crucial for effective radiation therapy scheduling and patient care.
Area of Science:
- Radiation Oncology
- Medical Physics
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Technological advancements in radiation therapy increase treatment complexity and daily imaging needs.
- Treatment time is a critical factor influenced by technique, imaging, and patient-centered care.
- Optimizing appointment scheduling is essential for efficient radiation therapy delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine optimal radiation treatment appointment times.
- To analyze factors influencing treatment duration, including site, technique, imaging, and patient needs.
- To identify discrepancies between scheduled and actual treatment times.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 535 radiation treatment fractions over one year.
- Data collection on treatment unit, scheduled time, duration, site, technique, imaging, and patient mobility.
- Statistical analysis using Student's t-tests to compare actual vs. standard times and evaluate influencing factors.
Main Results:
- Most common treatment sites (6/10) exceeded standard booked times, indicating underestimation.
- Daily cone-beam CT imaging added an average of 3.83 minutes for prostate treatments compared to kV imaging.
- Patients requiring mobility assistance experienced 20% longer treatment times than ambulatory patients.
Conclusions:
- Current radiation therapy appointment bookings are frequently inadequate for common sites and techniques.
- Treatment durations are significantly impacted by site, technique complexity, imaging requirements, and patient mobility.
- Regular evaluation and adjustment of radiation therapy appointment durations are recommended to align with evolving practices and ensure quality patient care.
