Delivery of radiation therapy in resource-limited settings: A pilot quality assessment study

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2017 Aug;64(8):10.1002/pbc.26480. doi: 10.1002/pbc.26480. Epub 2017 Feb 22.

Abstract

Progress has been made in resource-limited countries in treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia, but advances in solid malignancies have been slower. Multidisciplinary care coordination is challenging, assessing adherence to guidelines through quality improvement initiatives is essential. We characterized deviations from guidelines in the delivery of radiation in a middle-income country program as a pilot for evaluating adequacy of local control and as surrogate for integration of multidisciplinary care. One-third of patients for whom it was indicated did not receive radiation. Of the patients who received radiation, 95% had a deviation. This study underscores the importance of quality assessment in resource-limited settings.

Keywords: childhood cancer; low/middle-income countries (LMIC); radiation therapy.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Delivery of Health Care*
  • Developing Countries
  • Female
  • Guideline Adherence / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Quality Assurance, Health Care*
  • Radiotherapy*
  • Retrospective Studies