Program Information
Transforming From a Small Academic Department Into a Premier Radiation Oncology Program
N Gupta*, J Woollard , A Ayan , D DiCostanzo , K Hintenlang , The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH
Presentations
WE-RAM1-GePD-TT-5 (Wednesday, August 2, 2017) 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM Room: Therapy ePoster Theater
Purpose: Principles of MedPhys 3.0 transformative processes were applied to aspects of practice, education, research and administration to transition a small, three linac academic program into a highly successful and efficient, ten linac destination medical center.
Methods: A designed effort to expand in conjunction with the construction of a dedicated cancer hospital provided the opportunity to implement a spectrum of MedPhys 3.0 principles and construct a sustainable medical physics program of greatly expanded scope. Expertise developed in leadership and project management through formal education provided the means to secure necessary resources within the academic institution. A strategic plan was developed to support equipment acquisition, increased staffing levels, relocation of facilities/transition planning, and bringing ten treatment vaults on-line while continuing to provide the highest level of patient care.
Results: Department staffing levels increased threefold in support of the transition over a period of four years. Execution team building principles were utilized to expand the staff to an effective team to implement the transition. The department was physically relocated and seven matched accelerators commissioned within six months, preceded by two matched accelerators in a free standing breast center. Value was added to the practice by repurposing the prior department into a research facility that included a training linear accelerator matched to clinical machines. The research facility supports sponsored projects by vendors, RTT programs, dosimetry programs and physics/MD resident programs. The resultant enhancements increased clinical trial accrual rates, increased patient volumes by 100%, and yielded corresponding expansion of education programs.
Conclusion: Significant forethought and strategic planning as outlined in MedPhys 3.0 was required to sustainably grow the department while maintaining the safety, quality and personalization of patient care. A diverse array of senior faculty, new hire basic, translational and clinical physician faculty, and physicists provides a robust team to support new department activities.
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