Abstract
The European SocieTy for Radiotherapy and Oncology Radiation Therapist Committee (ESTRO RTTC) published a guidance document and infographic providing recommendations to minimise risk of COVID-19 transmission in radiotherapy (RT) departments. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes embedded in RT practice in the COVID-19 era and to recommend proactive measures to protect RT practice in future pandemics. The study was initiated by the ESTRO Radiation Oncology Safety and Quality Committee (ROSQC). A survey consisting of multiple choice, open ended and Likert scale questions was created to analyse the extent of changes embedded in RT practice in response to the COVID-19 pandemic under the four domains: patient care, RTT workflow, remote working and RT practice. This online survey was distributed globally in May 2020. 229 respondents across 27 countries completed the survey. 60% of respondents reported continuing/commencing RT in COVID-19 patients. Routine testing of patients and RTTs was not common. Split teams' procedures, hot linacs and separate entrances were implemented by 50% of respondents. Remote working was implemented for RT team members where face to face patient contact was not essential. Lack of staff, connectivity issues and lack of confirmed positive cases in the department were the main reasons cited for not implementing recommended measures. It is suggested that RT departments have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and implemented certain changes in RT practice. RT departments should act now to implement recommended proactive measures to protect patients and RTTs - frontline healthcare workers.
Highlights
COVID-19 is a highly infectious coronavirus first reported in December 2019 and characterised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a global pandemic in March 2020
In response to threats imposed by COVID-19 in RT, the Radiation Therapist Committee (RTTC) of the European SocieTy for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) prepared a guidance document [3] and an infographic [4]
The survey was built on ongoing work carried out by the Canadian Association of Provincial Cancer Agencies. It consisted of both demographic questions and questions covering the 4 topics addressed in the ESTRO Radiation therapists (RTTs) COVID-19 guidance document and Infographic: patient care, RTT workflow, remote working and RT practice [3,4]
Summary
COVID-19 is a highly infectious coronavirus first reported in December 2019 and characterised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a global pandemic in March 2020. The European SocieTy for Radiotherapy and Oncology Radiation Therapist Committee (ESTRO RTTC) published a guidance document and infographic providing recommendations to minimise risk of COVID-19 transmission in radiotherapy (RT) departments. A survey consisting of multiple choice, open ended and Likert scale questions was created to analyse the extent of changes embedded in RT practice in response to the COVID-19 pandemic under the four domains: patient care, RTT workflow, remote working and RT practice. This online survey was distributed globally in May 2020. RT departments should act to implement recommended proactive measures to protect patients and RTTs – frontline healthcare workers
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