Profile of European radiotherapy departments contributing to the EORTC Radiation Oncology Group (ROG) in the 21st century.

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_48FCF01B1F81
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Profile of European radiotherapy departments contributing to the EORTC Radiation Oncology Group (ROG) in the 21st century.
Journal
Radiotherapy and Oncology
Author(s)
Budiharto T., Musat E., Poortmans P., Hurkmans C., Monti A., Bar-Deroma R., Bernstein Z., Tienhoven G., Collette L., Duclos F., Davis B., Aird E.
ISSN
0167-8140
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2008
Volume
88
Number
3
Pages
403-410
Language
english
Abstract
PURPOSE: Since 1982, the Radiation Oncology Group of the EORTC (EORTC ROG) has pursued an extensive Quality Assurance (QA) program involving all centres actively participating in its clinical research. The first step is the evaluation of the structure and of the human, technical and organisational resources of the centres, to assess their ability to comply with the current requirements for high-tech radiotherapy (RT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A facility questionnaire (FQ) was developed in 1989 and adapted over the years to match the evolution of RT techniques. We report on the contents of the current FQ that was completed online by 98 active EORTC ROG member institutions from 19 countries, between December 2005 and October 2007. RESULTS: Similar to the data collected previously, large variations in equipment, staffing and workload between centres remain. Currently only 15 centres still use a Cobalt unit. All centres perform 3D Conformal RT, 79% of them can perform IMRT and 54% are able to deliver stereotactic RT. An external reference dosimetry audit (ERDA) was performed in 88% of the centres for photons and in 73% for electrons, but it was recent (<2 years) in only 74% and 60%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The use of the FQ helps maintain the minimum quality requirements within the EORTC ROG network: recommendations are made on the basis of the analysis of its results. The present analysis shows that modern RT techniques are widely implemented in the clinic but also that ERDA should be performed more frequently. Repeated assessment using the FQ is warranted to document the future evolution of the EORTC ROG institutions.
Keywords
Cancer Care Facilities/manpower, Cancer Care Facilities/standards, Clinical Trials as Topic, Europe, Humans, Neoplasms/radiotherapy, Quality Assurance, Health Care, Questionnaires, Radiation Oncology/standards, Radiotherapy/standards, Workload
Pubmed
Web of science
Create date
15/10/2009 9:05
Last modification date
20/08/2019 14:56
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