title: Patient engagement in radiation therapy: The development of guidelines for current Canadian practices.
abstract: Radiation therapy service quality is not only defined by the technical aspects of care-the patient's involvement and satisfaction also contribute largely to determining the quality of care received. Although there have been recent increases in support for the development of patient engagement activities throughout Canada, the lack of guidance and knowledge of patient engagement techniques within the radiotherapy context limits implementation. Without processes to obtain first-hand insight from patients, the need for these programs is overlooked. With a commitment to improving quality and consistency of care, the Canadian Partnership for Quality Radiotherapy recognized the need for a set of national guidelines on patient engagement in radiation therapy service delivery. Making use of the perspectives and first-hand experience of patient representatives, this initiative aims to develop a pan-Canadian guidance document that radiation therapy centres can adopt for successful integration of patient engagement through core activities of service delivery.
authors: British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. spurificacion@bcgsc.ca.
authors: Sunshine
authors: S
authors: Purificacion
authors: Canadian Partnership for Canadian Radiotherapy, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada.
authors: Erika
authors: E
authors: Brown
authors: Nova Scotia Cancer Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
authors: Carol
authors: C
authors: Anne-Davis
authors: British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: French
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D006801:Humans; D010358:Patient Participation; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000592:standards*