TY - JOUR
T1 - Patient engagement with radiation therapists
T2 - Patient perspectives, challenges, and opportunities. A systematic review
AU - O'Neill, A.
AU - Hughes, C.
AU - McClure, P.
AU - Rainey, C.
AU - McLaughlin, L.
AU - McFadden, S.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Authors
PY - 2023/5
Y1 - 2023/5
N2 - Introduction: 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. Methods: 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. Results: Nine hundred and eighty-eight articles were identified. Twelve papers were included in the final review. Conclusion: 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. Implications for practice: 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.
AB - Introduction: 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. Methods: 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. Results: Nine hundred and eighty-eight articles were identified. Twelve papers were included in the final review. Conclusion: 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. Implications for practice: 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.
KW - Narrative review
KW - Patient engagement
KW - Patient perspective
KW - Radiation therapist
KW - Radiotherapy experience
KW - Therapeutic radiographer
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85149835004
U2 - 10.1016/j.radi.2023.02.022
DO - 10.1016/j.radi.2023.02.022
M3 - Article
C2 - 36907794
AN - SCOPUS:85149835004
SN - 1078-8174
VL - 29
SP - S128-S136
JO - Radiography
JF - Radiography
ER -
