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.