PURPOSE: Our institution operates a remote radiation oncology service in Northern Ontario, Canada. Since the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, this center has operated without radiation oncologists on site owing to safety precautions, and this study seeks to understand the effect of this shift. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Departmental level data reports were used to investigate differences in metrics between April to May of 2019 and April to May 2020. These metrics include the total number of referrals received, average wait time from referral to consult, the number of cases that underwent peer review before beginning treatment, the total number of fractions given over each period, patient-reported outcomes, and patient satisfaction. We also examined the importance of physical examinations and the use of SABR treatment. RESULTS: There was an observed decrease in the number of referrals received, total number of fractions administered, and number of patients providing patient-reported outcomes. We observed no change in patient wait times, cases undergoing peer review before commencing treatment, or overall patient satisfaction. Challenges were identified in the collection of patient- reported outcomes and the conduction of physical examinations. CONCLUSIONS: This paper provides proof of concept that a radiation clinic can function entirely virtually in the short term without sacrificing patient satisfaction, efficiency, or safety.
PURPOSE: Our institution operates a remote radiation oncology service in Northern Ontario, Canada. Since the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, this center has operated without radiation oncologists on site owing to safety precautions, and this study seeks to understand the effect of this shift. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Departmental level data reports were used to investigate differences in metrics between April to May of 2019 and April to May 2020. These metrics include the total number of referrals received, average wait time from referral to consult, the number of cases that underwent peer review before beginning treatment, the total number of fractions given over each period, patient-reported outcomes, and patient satisfaction. We also examined the importance of physical examinations and the use of SABR treatment. RESULTS: There was an observed decrease in the number of referrals received, total number of fractions administered, and number of patients providing patient-reported outcomes. We observed no change in patient wait times, cases undergoing peer review before commencing treatment, or overall patient satisfaction. Challenges were identified in the collection of patient- reported outcomes and the conduction of physical examinations. CONCLUSIONS: This paper provides proof of concept that a radiation clinic can function entirely virtually in the short term without sacrificing patient satisfaction, efficiency, or safety.
Authors: A Sahgal; D Roberge; D Schellenberg; T G Purdie; A Swaminath; J Pantarotto; E Filion; Z Gabos; J Butler; D Letourneau; G L Masucci; L Mulroy; A Bezjak; L A Dawson; M Parliament Journal: Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) Date: 2012-05-24 Impact factor: 4.126
Authors: Ronald Chow; Peter Hoskin; Steven E Schild; Srinivas Raman; James Im; Daniel Zhang; Stephanie Chan; Nicholas Chiu; Leonard Chiu; Henry Lam; Edward Chow; Michael Lock Journal: Radiother Oncol Date: 2019-08-21 Impact factor: 6.280
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Authors: Samuel T Chao; Luqman K Dad; Laura A Dawson; Neil B Desai; Matthew Pacella; Ramesh Rengan; Ying Xiao; Kamil M Yenice; Seth A Rosenthal; Alan Hartford Journal: Am J Clin Oncol Date: 2020-08 Impact factor: 2.339
Authors: Richard Simcock; Toms Vengaloor Thomas; Christopher Estes; Andrea R Filippi; Matthew A Katz; Ian J Pereira; Hina Saeed Journal: Clin Transl Radiat Oncol Date: 2020-03-24
Authors: Adrian Murray Brunt; Joanne S Haviland; Duncan A Wheatley; Mark A Sydenham; Abdulla Alhasso; David J Bloomfield; Charlie Chan; Mark Churn; Susan Cleator; Charlotte E Coles; Andrew Goodman; Adrian Harnett; Penelope Hopwood; Anna M Kirby; Cliona C Kirwan; Carolyn Morris; Zohal Nabi; Elinor Sawyer; Navita Somaiah; Liba Stones; Isabel Syndikus; Judith M Bliss; John R Yarnold Journal: Lancet Date: 2020-04-28 Impact factor: 202.731