Radiation Therapy departments have been built in Australian regional and rural areas to improve access to Radiation Therapy and reduce the geographical challenges of distance as a barrier to access. Regardless of the additional capital investment to build Regional Radiation Therapy departments, utilisation rates in regional areas remain lower than metropolitan regions. The literature suggests socio-economic, cultural and health system factors influence a regional patients decision making in regard to cancer therapies.
The Western Cancer centre in Dubbo NSW is adapting Radiation Oncology treatment regimens to improve the patient experience and overcome barriers to accessing care using simulation free radiation therapy, hypo-fractionated radiation therapy and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). This presentation uses case studies to highlight the impact on patient experience for rural cancer patients.