Current status of the working environment of brachytherapy in Japan: a nationwide survey-based analysis focusing on radiotherapy technologists and medical physicists.

IF 1.9 4区 医学 Q2 BIOLOGY Journal of Radiation Research Pub Date : 2024-10-24 DOI:10.1093/jrr/rrae082
Toru Kojima, Hiroyuki Okamoto, Masahiko Kurooka, Naoki Tohyama, Ichiro Tsuruoka, Mikio Nemoto, Kohei Shimomura, Atsushi Myojoyama, Hitoshi Ikushima, Tatsuya Ohno, Hiroshi Ohnishi
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Abstract

Brachytherapy (BT), especially in high dose rate (HDR), has become increasingly complex owing to the use of image-guided techniques and the introduction of advanced applicators. Consequently, radiotherapy technologists and medical physicists (RTMPs) require substantial training to enhance their knowledge and technical skills in image-guided brachytherapy. However, the current status of the RTMP workload, individual abilities and quality control (QC) of BT units in Japan remains unclear. To address this issue, we conducted a questionnaire survey from June to August 2022 in all 837 radiation treatment facilities in Japan involving RTMPs. This survey focused on gynecological cancers treated with HDR-BT (GY-HDR) and permanent prostate implantation using low-dose-rate BT (PR-LDR). The responses revealed that the average working time in the overall process for HDR varied: 120 min for intracavitary BT and 180 min for intracavitary BT combined with interstitial BT. The QC implementation rate, in accordance with domestic guidelines, was 65% for GY-HDR and 44% for PR-LDR, which was lower than the 69% observed for external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). Additionally, the implementation rate during regular working hours was low. Even among RTMP working in facilities performing BT, the proportion of those able to perform QC for BT units was ~30% for GY-HDR and <20% for PR-LDR, significantly lower than the 80% achieved for EBRT. This study highlights the vulnerabilities of Japan's BT unit QC implementation structure. Addressing these issues requires appropriate training of the RTMP staff to safely perform BT tasks and improvements in practical education and training systems.

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日本近距离放射治疗工作环境的现状:以放射治疗技术人员和医学物理学家为重点的全国性调查分析。
近距离放射治疗(BT),尤其是高剂量率近距离放射治疗(HDR),由于使用图像引导技术和引进先进的应用器械而变得越来越复杂。因此,放射治疗技师和医学物理师(RTMP)需要接受大量培训,以提高他们在图像引导近距离放射治疗方面的知识和技术技能。然而,日本的 RTMP 工作量、个人能力和 BT 单位的质量控制(QC)现状仍不清楚。为了解决这一问题,我们于 2022 年 6 月至 8 月对日本所有 837 家涉及 RTMP 的放射治疗机构进行了问卷调查。调查的重点是使用 HDR-BT(GY-HDR)治疗的妇科癌症和使用低剂量率 BT(PR-LDR)进行的永久性前列腺植入术。调查结果显示,HDR 整个过程的平均工作时间各不相同:腔内 BT 为 120 分钟,腔内 BT 结合间质 BT 为 180 分钟。根据国内指南,GY-HDR 和 PR-LDR 的质量控制执行率分别为 65% 和 44%,低于外照射放射治疗(EBRT)的 69%。此外,正常工作时间内的执行率也很低。即使是在进行 BT 治疗的机构中工作的 RTMP,能够对 BT 单位进行质量控制的比例也仅为:GY-HDR 约为 30%,PR-LDR 约为 40%。
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来源期刊
CiteScore
3.60
自引率
5.00%
发文量
86
审稿时长
4-8 weeks
期刊介绍: The Journal of Radiation Research (JRR) is an official journal of The Japanese Radiation Research Society (JRRS), and the Japanese Society for Radiation Oncology (JASTRO). Since its launch in 1960 as the official journal of the JRRS, the journal has published scientific articles in radiation science in biology, chemistry, physics, epidemiology, and environmental sciences. JRR broadened its scope to include oncology in 2009, when JASTRO partnered with the JRRS to publish the journal. Articles considered fall into two broad categories: Oncology & Medicine - including all aspects of research with patients that impacts on the treatment of cancer using radiation. Papers which cover related radiation therapies, radiation dosimetry, and those describing the basis for treatment methods including techniques, are also welcomed. Clinical case reports are not acceptable. Radiation Research - basic science studies of radiation effects on livings in the area of physics, chemistry, biology, epidemiology and environmental sciences. Please be advised that JRR does not accept any papers of pure physics or chemistry. The journal is bimonthly, and is edited and published by the JRR Editorial Committee.
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