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. 2013 Sep 2;60(3):100–107. doi: 10.1002/jmrs.23

Table 4.

Capability statements about radiation therapists by decreasing strength of agreement by survey respondents (n = 60)

Radiation therapist capability statements RTs (n = 44) Nurses (n = 7) ROs (n = 5) Reg's (n = 4)
RTs, after suitable training and with the aid of established protocols, are capable of the following:
• Using the common terminology/toxicity criteria scoring system to grade toxicities 44 (100%) 7 (100%) 5 (100%) 4 (100%)
• Answering treatment-related logistics questions (appointments etc.) 44 (100%) 7 (100%) 5 (100%) 4 (100%)
• Providing assurance to patients undergoing radiation therapy 44 (100%) 7 (100%) 4 (80%) 4 (100%)
• Answering treatment technique-related questions 44 (100%) 7 (100%) 5 (100%) 3 (75%)
• Answering radiotherapy side effects questions 44 (100%) 7 (100%) 2 (40%) 4 (100%)
• Providing information on the side effects a patient may experience 44 (100%) 7 (100%) 3 (60%) 3 (75%)
• Participating in treatment reviews 44 (100%) 3 (43%) 4 (80%) 3 (75%)
• Giving adequate nutrition advice 40 (91%) 1 (14%) 1 (20%) 4 (100%)
• Recommending drugs to treat standard side effects 36 (82%) 2 (29%) 1 (20%) 1 (25%)
• Answering general cancer-related questions 38 (86%) 3 (43%) 1 (20%) 0
• Providing information on the cancer a patient has 20 (45%) 3 (43%) 2 (40%) 0
• Answering complementary and alternative medicine-related questions 16 (36%) 1 (14%) 0 1 (25%)
• Deciding whether a patient should have a break from treatment 10 (23%) 2 (29%) 0 1 (25%)
• Answering general medicine-related questions 16 (36%) 1 (14%) 0 0
RTs are willing to participate in treatment reviews 44 (100%) 7 (100%) 5 (100%) 3 (75%)
ROs are willing to delegate treatment reviews 14 (32%) 5 (71%) 0 4 (100%)

Proportions of respondents in each category who responded affirmatively are rounded to the nearest whole percentage. RTs, radiation therapists; Nurses, both registered and enrolled nurses; ROs, consultant radiation oncologists; Reg's, radiation oncology registrars.