ESTRO 2024 - Abstract Book

S5903

RTT - Service evaluation, quality assurance and risk management

ESTRO 2024

8. Clarke, V., & Braun, V. (2021). Thematic analysis: a practical guide. Thematic Analysis, 1-100.

1561

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A service evaluation assessing the use of the follow up process for BC following hypofractionated RT

Abigail C Trott 1 , Marie Orr 2 , Eloise S Casey 3

1 University of Liverpool, Cheltenham General Hospital, Gloucester, United Kingdom. 2 University of Liverpool, School of Health Sciences, Liverpool, United Kingdom. 3 Cheltenham General Hospital, Cheltenham General Hospital, Gloucester, United Kingdom

Purpose/Objective:

Breast cancer within the UK is prevalent and the dependence on radiotherapy as a modality for primary intervention is increasing. The introduction of hypofractionated regimens for breast cancer has been very beneficial for patients regarding the reduced impact on overall life but additionally shorter wait times for treatment following the COVID-19 pandemic. However, on completion of treatment, patients are experiencing significant side effects and are not formally reviewed during treatment or in the weeks after prior to their follow-up consultation with their consultant team. Within the host department, a patient led service, the Radiotherapy Advice Line (RALS), exists and is often used by these patients. This service evaluation explored whether there is need to change the current service and patient pathway given the current data available.

The objectives of this study were:

• To identify at what point following radiotherapy a patient called the RALS or sought advice.

• To investigate what were the primary concerns that led to the patient seeking this intervention.

• To determine whether the call to the radiotherapy advice line was their first line of support. If not, where did they seek the primary intervention from?

Material/Methods:

This service evaluation was utilising retrospective data over a time period from 1st April 2020 to 30th April 2023. This section outlines the methods used for collecting data. These dates were chosen based on the introduction of the hypofractionated regime within the host radiotherapy department and the availability of data at the time of data collection for this service evaluation. The RALS has been available for all patients to use in the host department since 2018. Patients are given the telephone number in an information leaflet on their last day of treatment. If they choose to call the RALS, they leave a message with their name and a brief explanation of their concerns which is then recorded in a password protected database,