Patient engagement with radiation therapists: Patient perspectives, challenges, and opportunities. A Systematic review

Angela O'Neill, Ciara Hughes, Patricia Mc Clure, Clare Rainey, Laura McLaughlin, Sonyia McFadden

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)
136 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Radiotherapy is a major component of cancer care and treatment is delivered almost exclusively by therapeutic radiographers/radiation therapists (RTTs). Numerous government and professional guidance publications have recommended a person-centred approach to healthcare through communication and collaboration between professionals, agencies, and users. With approximately half of patients undergoing radical radiotherapy experiencing some degree of anxiety and distress, RTTs are uniquely placed as frontline cancer professionals to engage with patients regarding their experience. This review seeks to map the available evidence of patient reported views of their experience of being treated by RTTs and any impact, this treatment had on the patient's frame of mind or perception of treatment. In line with the principles of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) systematic review methodology, a review of relevant literature was conducted. Electronic databases MEDLINE, PROQUEST, EMBASE and CINAHL were searched. Nine hundred and eighty-eight articles were identified. Twelve papers were included in the final review. Increased time with, and continuity of RTTs during treatment has a positive influence on patients' perspectives of RTTs. A positive patient perspective of their engagement with RTTs can be a strong predictor of overall satisfaction in radiotherapy. RTTs should not underestimate the impact of their supportive role in guiding patients through treatment. A standardised method for integrating patients' experience and engagement with RTTs is lacking. Further RTT led research is required in this area. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.]
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-9
Number of pages10
JournalRadiography
Volume29
Early online date10 Mar 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - May 2023

Bibliographical note

This work was co-funded by the SAFE EUROPE project under the Erasmus + Sector Skill Alliances programme. The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Funding Information:
This work was co-funded by the SAFE EUROPE project under the Erasmus + Sector Skill Alliances programme. The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Authors

Funding Information:
This work was co-funded by the SAFE EUROPE project under the Erasmus + Sector Skill Alliances programme. The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Authors

Funding Information:
This work was co-funded by the SAFE EUROPE project under the Erasmus + Sector Skill Alliances programme. The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Authors

Keywords

  • Patient engagement
  • Patient perspective
  • Radiation Thera[ost
  • Therapeutic radiographer
  • Radiotherapy experience
  • Narrative review
  • Radiation therapist

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