Radiation Oncology in other fields?

[staphaureus]

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How does radiation oncologist deal with other specialties that are dipping into the radiation jar? I hear urology, and even ENT starting to do their own radiation treatment.

 

[G'ville Nole]

How does radiation oncologist deal with other specialties that are dipping into the radiation jar? I hear urology, and even ENT starting to do their own radiation treatment.

To be clear, radiation must still be delivered by a doctor trained in radiation oncology. What you are referring to are groups of other cancer doctors (uro, ENT, med onc) who own radiation treatment machines. They view the technical revenues generated from the machines as a nice influx of income, but they still require a rad onc on staff to review and approve the treatments. In other words (and this irks me a bit), it only happens because we allow it happen.

It's an issue to be sure, one that has ASTRO's undivided attention. Again, it will only proliferate to the extent that rad oncs are complicit in the practice. Looking into the crystal ball, it's not difficult to suppose that these ventures will slow if not stop over the next 1-2 years as financing dries up, and these groups start to realize that taking on 7 to 8-figure debt in this economic environment may not be the thing to do.