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Review
. 2020 Nov-Dec;25(6):939-942.
doi: 10.1016/j.rpor.2020.09.007. Epub 2020 Oct 1.

Radiation oncologists role, training and perceptions in palliative care: a systematic review

Giorgia Lo Presti  1 , Marco Roncador  2 , Maira Biggiogero  1 , Chiara Soloni  3 , Alessandra Franzetti-Pellanda  1   4
Affiliations
Review

Radiation oncologists role, training and perceptions in palliative care: a systematic review

Giorgia Lo Presti et al. Rep Pract Oncol Radiother. 2020 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

Aim: To assess the educational needs, role and perceptions in palliative care issues of radiation oncologists (ROs) and trainees.

Background: 1/3 of radiotherapy patients are treated with palliative intent. Conversely, education and role that ROs have in the palliative care process are not well established, neither in terms of how they perceive their competence nor whether it is important to improve training, research and attention in palliative care issues at radiotherapy congresses.

Material and methods: Literature systematic review in National Library of Medicine and Cochrane databases with 11 relevant issues to be identified. One doctor made first selection of articles, a second one confirmed their eligibility.

Results: 722 articles reviewed, 19 selected. 100% recognize the importance of palliative care in radiotherapy, 89.4% the need of training in palliative care for ROs, 68.4% the necessity of improving the resident programs, 63.1% the importance of skilled ROs in palliative care, 63.1% the need of better communication skills and pain management (47.3%), 52.6%, the perception of inadequate training in palliative care, 36.8% the lack of research and palliative care topics in radiotherapy meetings, 21% the absence of adequate guidelines regarding palliative care approaches, 42.1% the importance of the ROs in palliative care teams and 26.3% the lack of their involvement.

Conclusion: Palliative care has an important role in radiotherapy but it seems ROs still need more training. It is necessary to improve training programs, increment palliative care research in radiotherapy, giving more attention to palliative care themes at radiotherapy congresses. This could lead to a better integration of radiotherapists in multidisciplinary palliative care teams in the future.

Keywords: Education; Multidisciplinary; Palliative care; Radiotherapy; Training.

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Figures

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Graphical abstract
Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Radiotherapy and palliative care, summary of results.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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