picture_as_pdf Download PDF

IARC 60th Anniversary - 19-21 May 2026

Session : 20/05/26 - Posters

Optimizing Staffing and Equipment Planning in a Tertiary-Care Radiotherapy Unit Using Registry Data

THARAVICHITKUL E. 1, CHAKRABANDHU S. 1, KLUNKLIN P. 1, ONCHAN W. 1, JIA-MAHASAP B. 1, MUANGWONG P. 1, TOAPICHARTTRAKUL P. 1, WATCHARAVIPA A. 1, NOBNOP W. 1, ASAWAPROMPORN N. 1, CHITAPANARUX I. 1

1 Chiang Mai University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Radiology-Division of Radiation Oncology, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Background
Radiotherapy is a key component of cancer care, requiring adequate staffing and equipment to ensure safe and effective treatment delivery. The Radiotherapy Unit at the Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University (MED-CMU) is a long-established tertiary referral center serving patients in Northern Thailand.
Objectives
This study evaluated the current status of staffing and equipment resources at MED-CMU using radiotherapy registry data to support future workforce and infrastructure planning.
Methods
Resource adequacy was assessed using the Radiation Oncology Resource Calculator (RRCC), version 21 [1]. Clinical workload data for 2024 were obtained from the Division of Radiation Oncology’s institutional registry, including the number of patients receiving external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and the total number of brachytherapy (BT) applications. These workload indicators, together with current staffing levels—radiation oncologists (ROs), medical physicists (MPs), radiation technologists (RTTs), radiation nurses (RNs), and support staff—were entered into the RRCC to estimate staffing and equipment requirements.
Results
The MED-CMU Radiotherapy Unit is currently staffed by 8 radiation oncologists (ROs), 7 medical physicists (MPs), and 14 radiation technologists (RTTs). In 2024, 1,675 patients received external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), and 619 brachytherapy (BT) applications were performed. Analysis using the RRCC v. 21 demonstrated workforce capacity levels of 84% for ROs, 57% for MPs, and 63% for RTTs. To adequately support the documented workload, the RRCC estimated staffing requirements of 10 ROs, 13 MPs, and 23 RTTs.  (as Figure)
Figure 1. Bar Graphs showed the resources of radiotherapy in the Faculty of medicine, Chiang Mai University
Conclusions
The RRCC analysis indicates that current staffing levels, particularly for medical physicists and radiation technologists, are insufficient to support the existing radiotherapy workload.
Reference
1. Van Dyk J, Zubizarreta E, Lievens Y. Cost evaluation to optimise radiation therapy implementation in different income settings: A time-driven activity-based analysis. Radiotherapy and Oncology 2017;125:178–85.
 

image
Bar Graphs showed the resources of radiotherapy in the Faculty of medicine, Chiang Mai University