Rad-Onc: turf wars?

[Caffeinated]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Lately I have been thinking about radiation oncology, but I am still relatively naive about rad-onc. One of the things that I have been wondering about is the relationships (in general) that rad-oncs have with other specialists (both MD and non-MD). Is the scope of the average radiation oncologist threatened by another profession? Said another way, are there any turf battles in rad-onc that resemble what is going on with ophthalmolgy/optometry or anesthesiology/CRNAs? What is the working relationship with other oncology specialists (e.g., heme-onc, surgical oncology)?

I know these questions aren't very sophisticated. But like I said, I am still a newbie.

 

[DrBowtie]

I read an article about AAPM lobbying to get provider status for medical physicists. I am not sure how far they have gotten or if it is a serious threat. Try doing some research on rad onc vs. med physicists.

 

[radonc]

I read an article about AAPM lobbying to get provider status for medical physicists. I am not sure how far they have gotten or if it is a serious threat. Try doing some research on rad onc vs. med physicists.

there arent many turf wars, but here are some off the top of my head, and i am not sure of what the status is (ie who is winning)...

1. radioimmunotherapy. small niche in the treatment of nhl, possibly may expand given the presence of trials accruing patients for 1st line rx with radiation. nuclear medicine vs radiation oncology

2. intravascular brachytherapy. decreasing role in the treatment of nstemi's and stemi's. out of favor at present. cardiology vs radiation oncology.

 

[Thaiger75]

I can only speak of what I observed at my institution and there does appear to be a turf war in urology here. Urologists here pretty much try to control and dominant things. The relationship we have with them ain't so great.

 

[bugmenot]

I can only speak of what I observed at my institution and there does appear to be a turf war in urology here. Urologists here pretty much try to control and dominant things. The relationship we have with them ain't so great.

totally agree; checkout urorad; industry is marketing machines to urologists to set up their outpatient centers with radonc doc in the boxes; since referring base typically goes from primary care to urologist then to rad onc (hopefully) this is a potentially harmful turf battle which will only get worse with other specialty specific interventions (breast mammosite; neurologic radiosurgery) unless we become visible to the community