Quality assurance in radiation therapy: clinical and physical aspects. Manpower requirements in training and certification of technologists and dosimetrists.
The rapid expansion of radiation oncology has created a shortage in the number of personnel adequately trained in radiation therapy technology. An estimate of present needs for graduate radiation therapy technologists is on the order of 2000 to 2500 additional individuals. This shortage of technologists and the highly technical nature of radiation oncology not only makes apparent the need for increased activity in training individuals in radiation therapy but also points out the need for continuing education of individuals currently employed in the field. A team of highly trained individuals is required to obtain the optimal results with radiation therapy treatment. The minimum number of health care professionals for any center administering radiation therapy should include a radiation oncologist, a radiation therapy technologist, a nurse and a radiation therapy physicist or dosimetrist under the supervision of a consulting radiation therapy physicist. There is no consensus as to the number of individuals required in each position as the patient load is increased. A discussion of manpower needs in radiation therapy technology and dosimetry, and the role of radiation therapy technologists and dosimetrists in quality assurance will be discussed. The discussion will also include recommendations for minimum or basic staffing requirements for any center administering radiation therapy, regional or community hospitals and optimal standards now in effect at an advanced facility.
D002568:Certification; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D013679:Technology, Radiologic / Q000193:education; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce