Utilisation review of radiation oncology practice

To collect data on the operation of two private radiation oncology practices which operate linear accelerators in order to compare their patterns of practice with that of the practice of a public teaching hospital radiation oncology department.

Retrospective review of practice records and collection of data on the utilisation of the respective radiation oncology practices.

Patient data was analysed to provide a "summarised" profile of treatment of the major cancers, by primary site, for each practice. Problems were encountered in adapting existing records at the various centres in order to obtain compatible data for comparison. The study demonstrated the need for adequate and consistent data to be collected by Australian radiation oncology facilities so that valid comparisons of practice patterns can be undertaken.