An innovative way of caring: palliative radiation therapy rapid response clinic

The Palliative Radiation Therapy Rapid Response Clinic now receives referrals from community oncologists and family physicians who regularly send palliative patients to the clinic, as well as direct calls from patients and their families. Patients who responded well to radiotherapy treatment may seek further treatment if they develop other painful metastatic sites. The team receives positive feedback from patients, particularly those who responded to treatment in a very short period of time. The number of patients receiving palliative radiation is substantial and T-SRCC hopes to continue this service and possibly increase the number of patients seen in the clinic in the future. Due to the success of the T-SRCC's rapid response clinic, other centres are now planning to start similar services. The concept of the rapid response clinic was also introduced by Dr. David Hoegler to the cancer centre in Kelowna, British Columbia. Now located in Kelowna, Dr. Hoegler started treating patients palliatively in that location in April 1998. The gap in cancer care has been filled. Patients with advanced cancer, together with their families, are being served in a prompt and convenient manner. Pain relief is just a phone call away.