Improving Access to Radiotherapy Services in the Simcoe-Muskoka Region of Ontario: Needs Assessment Study

Introduction

The Simcoe-Muskoka region of Ontario, Canada, is underserviced with respect to radiotherapy utilization. A group from the Toronto Sunnybrook Regional Cancer Centre and the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) of Barrie, Ontario, conducted a study investigating health-care needs and access to radiotherapy services in the region.

Methods

A questionnaire evaluating access to and knowledge about palliative radiotherapy was distributed to health-care providers from the region, and two radiation therapy education focus groups were organized at RVH to investigate regional knowledge and utilization of radiotherapy.

Results

Of 400 distributed, 167 questionnaires were returned (41 percent). The major barrier to radiotherapy access was distance to regional radiation cancer centres. Only 37 percent of respondents felt very comfortable with treatment of pain and palliative care symptoms, and only 8.4 percent felt very knowledgeable about palliative radiotherapy. Most participants wanted to learn more about radiotherapy through smallgroup teaching, and different topics were suggested for such presentations. Two focus groups proposed five potential educational strategies.

Conclusion

Many respondents were unaware of the effectiveness of palliative radiotherapy for cancer patients; however, most would like to learn more about radiotherapy. The focus groups identified several ways to offer health-care providers in Simcoe-Muskoka up-to-date information about palliative radiotherapy.