Canadian Radiation Therapist Views on Specialized Clinics for Geriatric Assessment of Older Women with Early Stage Breast Cancer: A Cross Sectional Study

Development of a Clinical Specialist Radiation Therapist Role in Supportive Care and Sexual Health: The Odette Cancer Center Experience Angela S. Turner, MRT(T), MHSc Odette Cancer Center, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center E-mail: [email protected] Lisa Di Prospero, MRT(T), BSc, MSc Odette Cancer Center, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Background: Beginning in May 2006, the Clinical Specialist Radiation Therapist (CSRT) project was approved by the Ministry of Health in Ontario as part of a project to investigate a new model for health care delivery. The aims were to provide optimum access to care as well as improve the quality of care provided to cancer patients. Our institutional priorities are aligned with the province and the CSRT role has been integrated into interprofessional practice with great success. Provincial reports from patient satisfaction surveys as well as institutional data identified areas for improvement in the delivery of supportive care with sexual health specifically as an area of unmet need for cancer patients. Methods: The process of developing this CSRT role utilized an established framework (Participatory Evidence informed Patient centered Process for APN role) (PEPPA) which had been developed to support the introduction and implementation of Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) roles. Gaps in care were investigated through an environmental scan of both provincial and institutional reports and documents. A literature search to identify published research to support the data was also carried out. Practice areas where radiation therapists (RTs) were currently not represented were identified. A formal proposal was developed that highlighted the CSRT role and its alignment with program needs and key priorities provincially and locally. The evidence provided was linked to published literature. The support of key stakeholders was established. Impact: The impact of the CSRT role is ongoing. Established metrics, e.g. patient satisfaction, stakeholder satisfaction, improved access to services, as well as other pertinent documentation will be collated to provide evidence of the impact of the role. Ongoing support and funding for the CSRT is dependent on demonstrated outcomes and deliverables embedded in the job description. Recommendations/Learnings: The development of novel CSRT roles is possible using standardized frameworks to identify gaps in care and models of service delivery currently underutilizing the skills of RTs. Investigating service models using formal processes may result in the identification of innovative non-traditional roles that expand the boundaries of RT practice. Evaluating Patient Satisfaction after Implementation of the INSPIRES Nutrition Module at Carlo Fidani Peel Regional Cancer Centre’s Radiation Therapy Department Zafir Yousuf, BSc and Tessa Larsen, MRT(T), BSc Carlo Fidani Peel Regional Cancer Centre, Trillium Health Partners E-mail: [email protected] Background: Patient satisfaction with supportive care resources is critical to the development of a high quality cancer care system. A lack of access to these resources can add to patient’s distress and compromise their ability to cope with diagnosis of cancer. Over the past several years, the radiation therapy department at Carlo Fidani Peel Regional Cancer Centre has been developing and implementing a model of care that provides a structured approach to side effect management and supportive care services. This model is known as INSPIRES and is being developed in modules, the first of which is the nutrition module. INSPIRES stands for ‘‘Identifying Needs,’’ ‘‘Sharing a Plan,’’ ‘‘Investing in Results,’’ and ‘‘Enhancing Survivorship.’’ This study will evaluate the impact of the INSPIRES project on patient satisfaction regarding nutritional information and resources received during radiation treatment. Methods: The INSPIRES model is being implemented in stages, and so far the ‘‘Identifying Needs’’ and ‘‘Sharing a Plan’’ components have been established. During treatment, patients receive ad-hoc follow-ups as deemed

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necessary by therapists. Incorporation of the ‘‘Investing in Results’’ component is being piloted on two treatment units. This component aims to make follow-ups with therapists a structured and scheduled part of a patient’s treatment. The other four units will continue to provide the current standard of care. A patient satisfaction survey will be administered to both groups during patients’ last week of treatment. Results: Pending. It is anticipated that patient satisfaction with nutritional information and resources will be higher for the pilot group compared to the standard of care group. Patient’s needs change over time and the structured approach for the pilot group ensures reassessments during the course of treatment. Conclusions: Overall, this study will allow us to determine the impact of the INSPIRES model on patient satisfaction with nutrition-related supportive care services provided at our centre. Results of this study will also contribute to future developments of INSPIRES model as well as its practical implementation. Canadian Radiation Therapist Views on Specialized Clinics for Geriatric Assessment of Older Women with Early Stage Breast Cancer: A Cross Sectional Study Bonnie Bristow, MRT(T), BSc, Merrylee McGuffin, MSc, BSc, MRT(T) and Nadia Zygowski, BSc The Odette Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario E-mail: [email protected] Background: Breast cancer is currently the most common form of cancer affecting Canadian women, excluding skin cancers. Over 40% of newly diagnosed cases and over 55% of deaths due to breast cancer are in women over the age of 65. Geriatric oncology patients have specialized needs including mobility issues, cognitive and physical disabilities, emotional and physical effort at extending their social support networks, worry about staying strong and independent, and difficulties in managing their cancer diagnosis, as well as their other pre-existing comorbidities. Geriatric specific oncology clinics provide increased specialized care, pre-treatment assessments and the coordination of information and expertise specific to geriatric care. As front line health care workers, radiation therapists are in a position to evaluate and assess whether such clinics would be of value to the Canadian oncology patient population. The purpose of this study is to examine and evaluate Canadian radiation therapist views on the need for specialized geriatric oncology clinics and assessments for women aged 70 and above with early stage breast cancer. Methods: This study will utilize a cross sectional survey design, collecting opinion data from the Canadian radiation therapist population. An electronic survey will be sent out to all radiation therapists on the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists (CAMRT) listserv. The survey will be anonymous and will be available for approximately one month. The survey consists of a series of multiple choice, Likert scale, and open-ended questions. Descriptive statistics will be used to analyze all data. Responses to open ended questions will be compiled according to topic, allowing for thematic analysis. Results: Results pending. Discussion and Conclusion: The data collected will establish radiation therapist opinions on the role of specialized geriatric oncology clinics and assessments for early stage breast cancer patients. It is hypothesized that Canadian radiation therapists will suggest a need for such specialized clinics and assessments, and the adoption of the specialized geriatric clinic into Canada is an exciting and valuable possibility during this time of increased need for our senior population. ‘‘Imaging Corner’’ as a Means to Share Image Guidance Decision-Making among Radiation Therapists at a Small Cancer Centre Robert B. Case, MRT(T) Michener Institute of Applied Health Sciences E-mail: [email protected] Gulaid Mohamoud, MRT(T) Stronach Regional Cancer Centre Background: In 2010, the radiation therapy facility at a small Ontario cancer centre opened with staff drawn from many centres around Ontario and some from outside Canada. The centre treated patients with daily image guidance

Conference Proceedings from RTi3 2015/Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences 46/S1 (2015) S2-S30