A survey of the information gained from planning treatment with a computer

We designed a questionnaire to be filled out by the physicist at the time of planning treatment with the aid of a computer in order to assess what was learned during the course of the planning session. We analyzed the results to gauge the impact of the 70 treatment planning sessions conducted during the one month period in our department in which questionnaires were completed (about 72% of all external beam plans made in that period). In 65 instances (93%) an initial judgment as to how treatment would be delivered had already been made and in 56 of these cases the patient's treatment had already been simulated by the time the computer calculation was made. Changes in the intended plan were made in eight of the 65 cases (12%). In 38% of the cases, more than one plan was developed and, when this was the case, on average records of 2.6 plans were made. Those performing the plans were asked to judge their value to the overall treatment of the patient, and the results were as follows: essential-19 cases (27%); very helpful-22 cases (31%); and somewhat helpful-29 cases (41%).