ESTRO 2025 - Abstract Book

S2281

Interdisciplinary – Health economics & health services research

ESTRO 2025

Geographically, significant disparities were observed. Heatmap analysis of treatment rates per 10,000 FONASA beneficiaries revealed the highest rates in the Los Ríos region (215.62), while Coquimbo (0.07) and La Araucanía (0.20) had the lowest. Other regions displayed intermediate rates, including Antofagasta (93.39), Magallanes (74.70), and Biobío (51.13). Metropolitan and Valparaíso regions showed moderate rates (46.25 and 31.25, respectively), while Maule reported 19.78 treatments per 10,000 insured individuals. Remarkably, Los Ríos performed treatments at a rate four times higher than the Metropolitan region (Fig 2). Fig 2. Heatmap of Radiotherapy Rates per 10,000 FONASA Beneficiaries, Chile.

Conclusion: Between 2018 and 2022, the provision of FONASA-funded radiotherapy treatments increased by 37%, driven primarily by a 140% rise in private sector activity compared to a 13% increase in the public sector. The private sector’s share of total treatments grew from 19.19% in 2018 to 32.52% in 2022. Geographic disparities in treatment rates per 10,000 insured beneficiaries underscore inequities in access, with regions like Los Ríos significantly outpacing others such as Coquimbo and La Araucanía. Potential explanations include differences in clinical criteria for radiotherapy, patient management practices, or funding levels, which warrant further investigation.

Keywords: radiotherapy access, geographic inequities