Patient Engagement: an Assessment of Canadian Radiotherapy Programs' Current Practices, Perceived Barriers, and...

Area of Science:

• Medical Oncology
• Radiation Therapy
• Healthcare Quality Improvement

Background:

• Patient engagement and education are mandated in Canadian radiation oncology programs (ROP).
• Several guidance documents exist, including the CARO Radiation Therapy Patient Charter and CPQR Patient Engagement Guidelines.
• Little is known about the actual implementation and uptake of these mandates within Canadian ROP.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess current patient engagement and education practices in Canadian ROP.
• To evaluate awareness and uptake of existing national guidance documents.
• To identify gaps and inform future pan-Canadian initiatives for optimizing patient care.

Main Methods:

• An electronic survey was distributed to 44 Canadian ROP.
• The survey focused on awareness and utilization of CARO Patient Charter and CPQR Patient Engagement Guidelines (PEG).
• Survey development incorporated guidance documents and expert consensus.

Main Results:

• 71% of ROP were familiar with the CARO Patient Charter, but only 24% reported using it.
• 53% knew of the CPQR PEG, with 37% having completed a self-audit.
• Most ROP (88%) found a pan-Canadian, evidence-based approach beneficial and feasible (80%), and 89% were willing to share best practices.

Conclusions:

• While patient engagement and education are nationally mandated, significant gaps exist in awareness and use of available tools across Canadian ROP.
• These gaps impact the uptake of critical quality of care processes.
• Findings will guide CPQR/CARO initiatives to improve uptake and develop standardized educational guidance for Canadian radiation treatment programs.