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Wood L, Giles E, Cunningham L, Le H, Zientara N, Short M. Proton radiation therapy patient selection and impacts of COVID-19: A scoping review. J Med Radiat Sci 2024; 71 Suppl 2:37-46. [PMID: 37431794 PMCID: PMC11011594 DOI: 10.1002/jmrs.706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
This scoping review aimed to determine whether the COVID-19 pandemic influenced any modifications to patient selection methods or prioritisation and services provided by proton therapy (PT) centres. This review was conducted based on the PRISMA methodology and Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review guidelines. A literature search was performed in Medline, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus, as well as grey literature. Keywords such as "COVID-19" and "Proton Therapy" were used. Articles published from 1 January 2020 in English were included. In total, 138 studies were identified of which 11 articles met the inclusion criteria. A scoping review design was chosen to capture the full extent of information published relating to the aim. Six of 11 articles included statements regarding treatment of COVID-19 patients. Three publications recommended deferred or alternative treatment, two indicated to treat urgent/emergency patients and one reported continuous treatment for infectious patients. Recurring impacts on PT provision included more frequent use of unconventional therapies, reduced referrals, delayed treatment starts and CT simulation, change in treatment target volumes and staffing limitations due to pandemic restrictions. Consequently, telehealth consults, remote work, reduction in patient visitors, screening procedures and rigorous cleaning protocols were recommended. Few publications detailed changes to patient selection or workflow methods during the pandemic. Further research is needed to obtain more detailed information regarding current global patient selection methods in PT, collecting this data could aid in future planning for PT in Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Wood
- Allied Health and Human PerformanceUniversity of South AustraliaAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Eileen Giles
- Allied Health and Human PerformanceUniversity of South AustraliaAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Lisa Cunningham
- Allied Health and Human PerformanceUniversity of South AustraliaAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Hien Le
- Department of Radiation OncologyRoyal Adelaide HospitalAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Nicole Zientara
- Liverpool Cancer Therapy CentreLiverpool HospitalSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Macarthur Cancer Therapy CentreCampbelltown HospitalSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Michala Short
- Allied Health and Human PerformanceUniversity of South AustraliaAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
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Valdez ID, Ramirez CE, Khansari A, Momin I, Sitzmann C, Dehghanpour M, Clark KR. Leading Past COVID-19: An Analysis of Remote Work Now and Beyond. Med Dosim 2023:S0958-3947(23)00024-9. [PMID: 37062599 PMCID: PMC10033252 DOI: 10.1016/j.meddos.2023.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many cancer centers and clinics deployed remote work options for their employees. Due to the rapid response needed during this crisis, little to no feedback was obtained from dosimetrists. This study aimed to assess the productivity level and job satisfaction of medical dosimetrists in response to changes in working conditions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the assistance from the Medical Dosimetrists Certification Board (MDCB), critical data was gathered via an original instrument conducted and distributed by The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center – School of Health Professions to all current practicing certified medical dosimetrists registered with the MDCB. Data were collected using Qualtrics and analyzed with IBM's SPSS. Most (326, 77.7%) participants indicated they transitioned to a version of remote work due to COVID-19. Almost half of the participants (208, 49.5%) reported increased job satisfaction due to the option to work remotely. The participants reported being extremely satisfied with the individual (247, 58.8%) and department (201, 47.9%) productivity levels even after implementing remote work options. Most participants (225, 53.6%), independent of age and years of experience, would prefer to stay in a hybrid role even after COVID-19 abates. These findings suggest that most dosimetrists prefer to perform their job remotely or asynchronously. A one size fits all job model design may make it difficult for organizations to attract, retain, and grow top dosimetrist. Industry leaders and employers may benefit by embracing this change as dosimetrist may value work-set-up flexibility over other employer-based benefits. Further research is needed to assess the unintended consequences of remote work environments in this profession.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac D Valdez
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health Houston, TX,77030-4009 USA.
| | - Catherine E Ramirez
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health Houston, TX,77030-4009 USA
| | - Armin Khansari
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health Houston, TX,77030-4009 USA
| | - Ilam Momin
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health Houston, TX,77030-4009 USA
| | - Chase Sitzmann
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health Houston, TX,77030-4009 USA
| | - Mahsa Dehghanpour
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health Houston, TX,77030-4009 USA
| | - Kevin R Clark
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health Houston, TX,77030-4009 USA
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Li Z, Hu Y, Zeng M, Hu Q, Ye F, Liu R, Cai H, Li Q, Wang X. The role transition of radiotherapy for the treatment of liver cancer in the COVID-19 era. Front Oncol 2022; 12:976143. [PMID: 36185295 PMCID: PMC9516283 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.976143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The uncontrollable COVID-19 crises in the SARS-CoV-2 high-prevalence areas have greatly disrupted the routine treatment of liver cancer and triggered a role transformation of radiotherapy for liver cancer. The weight of radiotherapy in the treatment algorithm for liver cancer has been enlarged by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is helpful for the optimal risk-benefit profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Li
- Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
- Lanzhou Heavy Ion Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yue Hu
- Chengdu Women’s and Children’s Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Ming Zeng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Qinyong Hu
- Cancer Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Fei Ye
- Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ruifeng Liu
- Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
- Lanzhou Heavy Ion Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hongyi Cai
- Department of Radiotherapy, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
- Lanzhou Heavy Ion Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaohu Wang
- Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, China
- Lanzhou Heavy Ion Hospital, Lanzhou, China
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Boutros M, Moujaess E, Kourie HR. Cancer management during the COVID-19 pandemic: Choosing between the devil and the deep blue sea. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2021; 167:103273. [PMID: 33737160 PMCID: PMC7959683 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2021.103273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 was declared a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern" in March 2020. Since then, drastic measures were implemented to reduce the virus spread. These measures prevented cancer patients from receiving prompt medical care. A delay in testing and treating cancer patients is thought to protect them from serious COVID-19 complications but exposes them at the same time to the risk of disease progression and cancer related mortality. Healthcare providers are therefore facing the dilemma of choosing between two unpleasant scenarios. To shed light upon the matter, we present in this review article, based on an extensive search of the literature, an overview of the delay in the management of cancer patients, possible contributors to this delay and its benefits and risks on cancer patients' health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Boutros
- Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Elissar Moujaess
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Hotel Dieu de France University Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon,Corresponding author
| | - Hampig Raphael Kourie
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Hotel Dieu de France University Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon
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McGovern SL, Wages C, Dimmitt A, Sanders C, Martin D, Ning MS, Manning R, Amin M, Zhu XR, Frank SJ, Gunn GB. Proton Therapy in a Pandemic: An Operational Response to the COVID-19 Crisis. Int J Part Ther 2020; 7:54-57. [PMID: 33094136 PMCID: PMC7574828 DOI: 10.14338/ijpt-20-00027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Susan L McGovern
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Cody Wages
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Andrew Dimmitt
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Christopher Sanders
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Deanna Martin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Matthew S Ning
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Rochelle Manning
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mayank Amin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - X Ronald Zhu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Steven J Frank
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - G Brandon Gunn
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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