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Updated: Sep 3, 2025
Author Spotlight: Improving Radiation Therapy Access with Radiation Planning Assistant
Published on: October 6, 2023
Comprehensive assessment during palliative radiotherapy consultation optimizes supportive care for patients with
Jordan Hill1, Mohannad Alhumaid1, Sunita Ghosh2
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Purpose:
Palliative radiotherapy (PRT) in advanced cancer improves symptom control and quality of life. PRT consultations take place in various clinical settings, including through dedicated rapid access clinics. We examined holistic assessment and PRT delivery by consultation setting.
Methods:
We analyzed patients with breast cancer who died (01/04/2013-31/03/2014), after at least one lifetime PRT consultation. Data abstracted included Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), Edmonton Symptom Assessment System Revised (ESAS-r) ratings, and PRT timelines. Descriptive statistics, t tests of proportions, independent t tests, and chi-square tests were calculated.
Results:
One hundred thirty patients were assessed for PRT over 224 consults, 28/224 (12.5%) in the rapid access clinic. In non-rapid access versus rapid access visits, KPS was documented in 30.1% versus 89.3%, and medication history in 53.6% versus 96.4%, respectively (both p < 0.0001). Baseline ESAS-r scores were available for 67.9% of rapid access visits, versus no non-rapid access visit. Rapid access consults had a higher proportion of subsequent supportive care referrals (46.4% versus 8.2%; p < 0.0001). Same day PRT start occurred in 37% of rapid access versus 23.4% of non-rapid access visits (p = 0.13).
Conclusions:
Assessment for PRT by a dedicated multidisciplinary team provides a comprehensive picture of patient needs and streamlines PRT delivery, essential to personalizing supportive care.
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