Rapid access palliative radiation therapy programs: an efficient model of care.
Palliating symptoms of advanced and metastatic cancers are one of the most common indications for radiation therapy (RT), and the demand for palliative RT is increasing. Dedicated rapid access palliative RT programs improve access to care, and can deliver RT in a more efficient and evidence-based manner than standard RT programs. In this narrative review, we discuss the role of palliative RT in comprehensive cancer care, and challenges that have faced patients trying to access it. We describe how rapid access programs developed to address these challenges and provide an overview of dedicated programs worldwide. Finally, we show how these programs can serve as models for multidisciplinary care and education, and sources of exciting research opportunities in clinical care and advanced technologies.
Division of Radiation Oncology, University of Ottawa; Radiation Medicine Program & Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, The Ottawa Hospital, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K1H8L6, Canada.
Kristopher
K
Dennis
Radiation Medicine Program, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Kelly
K
Linden
Departments of Radiation Oncology & Psychosocial Oncology & Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA.|Harvard Medical School, MA, USA.
Tracy
T
Balboni
Department of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Edward
E
Chow
D000488:Allied Health Personnel; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010166:Palliative Care; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000379:methods
bone metastases; brain metastases; dedicated clinic; end of life; lung cancer; palliative care; radiation oncology; radiation therapy; radiotherapy; rapid access clinic