Brigitte Zurl1, Anja Bayerl2, Alexander De Vries3, Hans Geinitz4, Robert Hawliczek5, Tomas-Henrik Knocke-Abulesz6, Peter Lukas7, Richard Pötter8, Wolfgang Raunik9, Brigitte Scholz10, Annemarie Schratter-Sehn11, Felix Sedlmayer12, Dietmar Seewald13, Edgar Selzer14, Karin S Kapp15. 1. Universitätsklinik für Strahlentherapie-Radioonkologie, Comprehensive Cancer Center Graz, Medizinische Universität Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 32, 8036, Graz, Austria. brigitte.zurl@klinikum-graz.at. 2. Klinische Abteilung für Strahlentherapie-Radioonkologie, Universitätsklinikum Krems, Krems, Austria. 3. Abteilung für Strahlentherapie-Radioonkologie, Landeskrankenhaus Feldkirch, Feldkirch, Austria. 4. Abteilung für Radio-Onkologie, Krankenhaus der Barmherzigen Schwestern Linz, Linz, Austria. 5. Institut für Radioonkologie, SMZ-Ost Donauspital der Stadt Wien, Wien, Austria. 6. Sonderabteilung für Strahlentherapie, Krankenhaus Hietzing Wien, Wien, Austria. 7. Universitätsklinik für Strahlentherapie-Radioonkologie, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria. 8. Universitätsklinik für Strahlentherapie, Medizinische Universität Wien, Wien, Austria. 9. Institut für Strahlentherapie/Radioonkologie, Klinikum Klagenfurt, Klagenfurt, Austria. 10. Institut für Radioonkologie, Wilhelminenspital der Stadt Wien, Wien, Austria. 11. Institut für Radioonkologie, Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Spital der Stadt Wien, Wien, Austria. 12. Universitätsklinik für Radiotherapie und Radio-Onkologie, Universitätsklinikum Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria. 13. Institut für Radioonkologie/Strahlentherapie, Salzkammergut-Klinikum Vöcklabruck, Vöcklabruck, Austria. 14. Institut für Radioonkologie u. Strahlentherapie, Landesklinikum Wiener Neustadt, Wiener Neustadt, Austria. 15. Universitätsklinik für Strahlentherapie-Radioonkologie, Comprehensive Cancer Center Graz, Medizinische Universität Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 32, 8036, Graz, Austria.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A comprehensive evaluation of the current national and regional radiotherapy capacity in Austria with an estimation of demands for 2020 and 2030 was performed by the Austrian Society for Radiation Oncology, Radiobiology and Medical Radiophysics (ÖGRO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: All Austrian centers provided data on the number of megavoltage (MV) units, treatment series, fractions, percentage of retreatments and complex treatment techniques as well as the daily operating hours for the year 2014. In addition, waiting times until the beginning of radiotherapy were prospectively recorded over the first quarter of 2015. National and international epidemiological prediction data were used to estimate future demands. RESULTS: For a population of 8.51 million, 43 MV units were at disposal. In 14 radiooncological centers, a total of 19,940 series with a mean number of 464 patients per MV unit/year and a mean fraction number of 20 (range 16-24) per case were recorded. The average re-irradiation ratio was 14%. The survey on waiting times until start of treatment showed provision shortages in 40% of centers with a mean waiting time of 13.6 days (range 0.5-29.3 days) and a mean maximum waiting time of 98.2 days. Of all centers, 21% had no or only a limited ability to deliver complex treatment techniques. Predictions for 2020 and 2030 indicate an increased need in the overall number of MV units to a total of 63 and 71, respectively. CONCLUSION: This ÖGRO survey revealed major regional differences in radiooncological capacity. Considering epidemiological developments, an aggravation of the situation can be expected shortly. This analysis serves as a basis for improved public regional health care planning.
BACKGROUND: A comprehensive evaluation of the current national and regional radiotherapy capacity in Austria with an estimation of demands for 2020 and 2030 was performed by the Austrian Society for Radiation Oncology, Radiobiology and Medical Radiophysics (ÖGRO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: All Austrian centers provided data on the number of megavoltage (MV) units, treatment series, fractions, percentage of retreatments and complex treatment techniques as well as the daily operating hours for the year 2014. In addition, waiting times until the beginning of radiotherapy were prospectively recorded over the first quarter of 2015. National and international epidemiological prediction data were used to estimate future demands. RESULTS: For a population of 8.51 million, 43 MV units were at disposal. In 14 radiooncological centers, a total of 19,940 series with a mean number of 464 patients per MV unit/year and a mean fraction number of 20 (range 16-24) per case were recorded. The average re-irradiation ratio was 14%. The survey on waiting times until start of treatment showed provision shortages in 40% of centers with a mean waiting time of 13.6 days (range 0.5-29.3 days) and a mean maximum waiting time of 98.2 days. Of all centers, 21% had no or only a limited ability to deliver complex treatment techniques. Predictions for 2020 and 2030 indicate an increased need in the overall number of MV units to a total of 63 and 71, respectively. CONCLUSION: This ÖGRO survey revealed major regional differences in radiooncological capacity. Considering epidemiological developments, an aggravation of the situation can be expected shortly. This analysis serves as a basis for improved public regional health care planning.
Entities:
Keywords:
Health Service Administration; Projections and predictions; Radiation retreatment; Radiobiology; Waiting time