Staffing shortfall plagues radiation oncology.

Canada's radiation oncologists say a staffing crisis looms within their specialty. A growing number of cancer patients means resources are being stretched, doctors are facing additional stress and waiting lists are becoming longer. "I see no way that we can conceive of meeting our needs by 2000," says Dr. Tom Keane of Toronto's Princess Margaret Hospital. The staffing shortage also extends to the medical physicists who run the radiotherapy machines. Many are being attracted to the US by higher salaries.