ESTRO 2024 - Abstract Book

S5863

RTT - Service evaluation, quality assurance and risk management

ESTRO 2024

124

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Analysis of the Belgian RTT Workforce in 2022 and Estimation of Workforce Needs for the Near Future

Filipa Sousa 1,2 , José G Couto 3 , Dylan Callens 4,5 , Dirk Van Gestel 1

1 Institut Jules Bordet, Radiation Oncology, Brussels, Belgium. 2 Inholland University of Applied Sciences, School of Health, Haarlem, Netherlands. 3 University of Malta, Radiography, Msida, Malta. 4 UZ Leuven, Radiation Oncology, Leuven, Belgium. 5 KU Leuven, Laboratory of Experimental Radiotherapy, Leuven, Belgium

Purpose/Objective:

Radiation Therapists (RTT) are key professionals in administering Radiotherapy (RT) to cancer patients. The fast evolution of RT technology, the increase in RT provision, the lack of political vision and poor advocacy of RT needs has led to higher demand for RTTs, making it vital to identify, evaluate and organise this profession. This study aims to identify the current Belgian RTT workforce and to analyse current and future needs.

Material/Methods:

A self-designed survey requesting information about the departments’ activities, current RTT workforce and future needs was validated and distributed to all RTT managers in Belgium. Descriptive analysis of the closed-ended questions are reported. Previously published estimation equations were used to evaluate current and future needs for RTTs in Belgium.

Results:

All 26 primary Belgian RT facilities answered the survey, thus achieving a 100% participation rate.

A total number of 544 RTTs worked in Belgium in 2022, corresponding to 461 full-time equivalents (FTE). The number of RTTs needed to respect Belgian law is 448,5 FTE RTTs. However, RTT managers identify that 509 FTE RTTs are required to comply with the current needs (Figure 1), meaning that an extra 48 FTE RTTs are necessary.