Evidence map›Paper›PMID 35768935›Full record

ArticleJournal of medical imaging and radiation oncology2022

Using national data to model the New Zealand radiation oncology workforce.

Alex Dunn, Shaun Costello, Fiona Imlach, Emmanuel Jo, Jason Gurney, Rose Simpson, Diana Sarfati

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of medical imaging and radiation oncology, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Guideline
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Alex DunnTe Aho o Te Kahu/Cancer Control Agency, Wellington, New Zealand.
Shaun CostelloSouthern District Health Board, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Fiona ImlachTe Aho o Te Kahu/Cancer Control Agency, Wellington, New Zealand.
Emmanuel JoHealth Workforce Directorate, Ministry of Health, Wellington, New Zealand.
Jason GurneyTe Aho o Te Kahu/Cancer Control Agency, Wellington, New Zealand.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7615-0748
Rose SimpsonTe Aho o Te Kahu/Cancer Control Agency, Wellington, New Zealand.
Diana SarfatiTe Aho o Te Kahu/Cancer Control Agency, Wellington, New Zealand.

Funding

Te Aho o Te Kahu - Cancer Control Agency
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionDemand for radiation therapy is expected to increase over time. In Aotearoa/New Zealand, the radiation oncology workforce experiences high numbers of clinical hours but an intervention rate that is lower than in comparable countries, suggesting unmet treatment need. Accurate models on the supply and demand for radiation oncologists (ROs) are needed to ensure adequate staffing levels.

methodsWe developed a demand model that predicted the future number of ROs required, using national data from the Radiation Oncology Collection (ROC) and a survey of ROs. Radiation therapy intervention and retreatment rates (IR/RTRs), and benign and non-cancer conditions being treated, were derived from the ROC and applied to Census population projections. Survey data provided definitions of treatment by complexity, time spent in different activities and time available for work. Results were linked to radiation oncology workforce forecasts from a supply model developed by the Ministry of Health.

resultsThe demand model showed that 85 ROs would be needed in 2031, if current IR/RTRs were maintained, an increase from 68 in 2021. The supply model predicted a decrease in ROs over time, leaving a significant shortfall. Model parameters could be modified to assess the impact of workforce or practice changes; more ROs would be needed if average working hours reduced or IR/RTRs increased.

conclusionWorkforce models based on robust data collections are an important tool for workforce planning. The RO demand model presented here combines detailed information on treatment and work activities to provide credible estimates that can be used to inform actions on training, recruitment and retention.

Indexed as

Radiation OncologyHumansNew ZealandRadiation OncologistsReactive Oxygen SpeciesWorkforceReactive Oxygen SpeciesHealth WorkforceHealth Workforce ModellingHealth Workforce Supply and Demand Planningradiation oncologyradiotherapy/radiation therapy

Identifiers

PMID35768935
PMCPMC9542613

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.