Radiation Oncology Survivorship Program in a Latin America Continental Country: Accessing Acceptance and Viability according to Patients and Health Professionals

Abstract

<h3>Purpose/Objective(s)</h3> Most cancer patients need rehabilitation for sequelae left by treatments such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy and the most diverse surgeries. The professionals at the head of such processes do not always have the necessary expertise for a satisfactory rehabilitation from radiation therapy, due to the generalized training they receive in colleges nationwide. Survivorship programs have facilitated access to more specialized professionals, but they are scarce in developing countries. We evaluated the viability of a <b>s</b>urvivorship program for radiation oncology patients and their acceptance by health professionals involved in all stages of treatment in Brazil. <h3>Materials/Methods</h3> A questionnaire including relevance scores was carried out with patients who completed radiation therapy treatment in the last 2 years and with several professionals involved in rehabilitation. For patients, data such as rehabilitation treatments that they had or are still doing, weekly frequency of them, degree of satisfaction with the results, geographic distance and knowledge about survivorship programs were collected. For professionals, we accessed the number of cancer patients assisted by month, the professional's comfort in treating these patients, difficulties faced, specialization in oncology, perception and knowledge about survivorship programs. A Multivariate analysis was performed, completed with multivariate regression and Cox proportional hazard model. <h3>Results</h3> Of the 1998 patients who performed the survey, 93% did not know about any survivorship program and 63.5% of these showed great interests in participating. The majority, 78%, needed to receive some treatment for rehabilitation in the first six months after radiotherapy and an important portion, 59%, still do it at least 2 times a week until the moment of the interview. Also, 72% rated the possibility of concentrating the most diverse services in the same physical location as very valid. Data collected from 137 professionals showed that only 10% claimed to have some specialization in oncology. About the survivorship programs, 92% did not participate or had no knowledge, 3% had already been invited to join a program and 5% were actually already part of it. The vast majority, 97%, indicated an interest in joining a survivorship program if invited. <h3>Conclusion</h3> There is a real demand, from both patients and health professionals, to increase efforts and investments for new survivorship programs in a developing country of continental dimensions like Brazil. Such programs can really reflect in a greater quality of life for patients after radiation therapy, by providing access to rehabilitation with subspecialist professionals, and for professionals, a safer practice by enabling both scientific and clinical exclusive dedications.