Triage for palliative radiotherapy by clinical specialist radiation therapists: A scoping review

Abstract

Patients who could benefit from palliative radiotherapy (PRT) may be in different phases of the cancer journey: they may have minimal symptoms and preserved functional status, or could be near end of life, with multiple complex care needs. Efficient triage at PRT referral is crucial to match patients with an appropriate provider and care setting as quickly as possible. Many centres have a dedicated PRT clinic, for which triage occurs by a Palliative Clinical Specialist Radiation Therapist (PCSRT). We performed an English-language literature search of 15 databases, without date limits, based on the PICO framework. After independent screening of titles and abstracts by two authors, relevant full text papers were reviewed. Twenty studies (15 publications and five abstracts) and one government report met inclusion criteria. Studies were published over a 21-year period by investigators from four countries. By identifying bottlenecks, screening out inappropriate referrals, and assessing patients in advance of consult, PSCRT triage decreased wait times by approximately 50%, on average, compared to standard pathways (range 30–82%). Increasing efficiency by pre-booking and coordinating appointments increases patient volumes and optimizes use of resources. A triage PCSRT serving a navigator role improves continuity of care, and in decreasing the number of handoffs, safety as well. Shifting triage to a PCSRT allows multidisciplinary team members to work to their maximum scope. In one clinic, after incorporation of PCSRT triage, use of on-call services decreased, as more patients were seen during daytime appointments, contributing to cost-savings.