Background: Medical Imaging Simulated Radiation Therapy (MISRT) reduces the financial and geographical burden of accessing palliative Radiation Therapy (RT) within the WNSWLHD. The need for a simulation appointment prior to treatment to provide a digital anatomical map to plan where radiation will be delivered is eliminated by using diagnostic and/or staging scans. MISRT means patients only need to attend for treatment appointments.
Aim: MISRT implementation for palliative patients is an attempt to demonstrate the extensive benefits to patients, health professionals and health resource management when quality peer reviewed research is translated into practice in a rural Radiation Oncology department. The use of MISRt enables more patients in WNSWLHD to access world class RT and improves RT utilisation in rural and regional areas, through the elimination of RT simulation CT scanning. For patients undertaking the MISRT pathway, the aim is this will improve the human experience as the time required to be away from home will be reduced and the financial burden decreased.
Method: Peer reviewed research has been translated to practice. To complete this implementation one-on-one staff training sessions regarding planning and treatment of patients on MISRT pathway along with tutorials to demonstrate the requirements of a useable MISRT scan. Upon completion of training, a staff survey using the Likert Scale and open-ended questions to assess implementation relating to benefits to department, time considerations and processes will be completed. Similarly, patient data has been analysed to demonstrate a reduction in transport emissions generated by patient travel to access RT and associated cost savings. Qualitative data to measure the human experience is also assessed.
Results: A feasibility project completed in 2022 allowed for 16 patients to undergo palliative RT treatment and planning using the MISRT pathway. This pathway has now treated a total of 26 patients within the WNSWLHD. The implementation of MISRT has demonstrated to be valuable to patients, specifically in decreasing time required for a patient to be present in the department.