Background

The investigation of advanced practice for radiation therapists began several years ago in Ontario. You may recall that from 2004 to 2006, 7 pilot projects (investigating 5 different roles) were underway in Ontario as part of the “Advanced Practice for Radiation Therapists Developmental Project” (APRT), funded by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC). The key objective of this project was to ascertain the value and feasibility of developing advanced practice roles in radiation therapy.

Following review of the APRT report, a plan was proposed for moving forward with examining advanced practice in radiotherapy. In March 2007, the “Clinical Specialist Radiation Therapist (CSRT) Demonstration Project” received funding from the MOHLTC for the implementation of 5 demonstration CSRT roles, which would build further on the work of the APRT Developmental Project completed in 2006. CSRTs are Radiation Therapists, registered with the College of Medical Radiation Technologists of Ontario (CMRTO) in the specialty of radiation therapy. They have obtained additional knowledge, skills and judgement that allows them to perform their full scope of practice, including specific activities that are managed through either medical directives or delegation.

The CSRT Demonstration Project is rooted in broader efforts to drive quality; accountability and innovation throughout Ontario’s cancer care system. The Project builds on commitments articulated by the MOHLTC and Cancer Care Ontario (CCO). In the continuing effort to improve access to care for Ontario’s cancer patients, the MOHLTC has supported development and evaluation of innovative health human resource roles. Ontario began exploring the introduction of advanced practice roles for radiation therapists in 2003 in response to well-documented^[1] challenges in the radiation treatment environment. Treatment delays, service expansion, health human resource issues in cancer-related disciplines, care gaps, and a desire for quality improvement and innovation led the radiation therapy community to examine ways in which the provision of radiation treatment could be improved. 

Several phases of the Project were implemented and funded to pilot test 9 CSRT positions in 5 cancer centres in Ontario. Based on the success of the pilot projects, funding has been allocated for the next phase, the CSRT Sustainability Project, which will permanently integrate the CSRT role into Ontario’s cancer care system.