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Evidence-Based Assessment of Radiotherapy Demand and Quality of Radiotherapy Services
Closed for proposals
Project Type
Project Code
E33037CRP
1997Approved Date
Status
Start Date
Expected End Date
Completed Date
31 October 2017Description
This CRP will incorporate two studies running in parallel as follows: Sub-project A: This study will determine the radiotherapy utilization rate (RTU) in a group of selected middle income countries in terms of both the optimal and the actual utilization. "Optimal" radiotherapy utilization means the proportion of cancer patients who should receive radiotherapy as per published evidence. This data exists from studies done in developed countries (mainly Australia, Sweden, USA) but has never been calculated for developing countries using an evidence-based methodology. The "actual" RTU means the real proportion of cancer patients who receive radiotherapy in a certain country. The results will be very valuable for planning radiotherapy services in developing countries on an evidence basis. Sub-project B: The second study will assess the level of quality of radiotherapy services in the post-Soviet (“Commonwealth of Independent States region”) countries as compared with internationally accepted standards. To answer this question the methodology will be a structured survey using validated quality indicators.
Objectives
1. To estimate the optimal and actual radiotherapy utilization (RTU) rates in developing countries using an evidence-based methodology. 2. To assess the quality of radiotherapy services in the CIS region countries using a validated set of quality indicators
Specific objectives
To determine the actual RTU rates in a group of countries representative of the main regions.
To determine the optimal RTU in a group of middle-income countries representatives of the main regions.
To objectively document the level of quality of radiotherapy services in countries of the CIS region using sets of validated quality indicators.
Impact
The results of this CRP were very valuable for planning radiotherapy services in developing countries on an evidence basis. It helped to gain a better understanding of the current practices, infrastructure and education in Eastern European (ex-USSR except the Baltic States) countries, which in turn will help to improve communication and the ways the Agency may assist these countries to fulfil their needs in this area. DIRAC data for 18 countries were updated.
Relevance
Relevant to IAEA-LMIC cooperation in the field of radiotherapy.