Archived

CSRT Project Continues

In August 2009, in response to the recommendations made to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC), Phase I extension 2 known as (Phase I (E2)) of the   Clinical Specialist Radiation Therapist (CSRT) Demonstration Project has now received additional funding and selected and implemented five additional CSRT positions in cancer centres outside the GTA. The successful sites and positions are as follows:

  • Juravinski Cancer Centre - Bone Mets CSRT and Head and Neck CSRT
  • Kingston Regional Cancer Centre - Palliative CSRT
  • The Ottawa Hospital - Palliative CSRT and Tomotherapy/Adaptive CSRT

Phase I (E2) will examine how the CSRT role can be modified to create positions that meet different system and population needs. Consistent with the broader health human resources strategy for Ontario, the MOHLTC hopes these therapists will help smaller centres improve access to service, including traditionally “Harder to reach” populations such as francophone or aboriginal.

The deliverables for Phase I (E2) include:

  • Host a "Think Tank/Workshop" to strategize around the issues impacting the full implementation of CSRTs and other new roles.
  • Develop sustainable comprehensive "models of care" for radiation medicine permanently integrating the CSRT into the current team, where appropriate;
  • Recommend plans for long-term sustainability of the CSRT positions taking into consideration:
    • alignment with CCO priorities, initiatives and strategic directions (e.g. Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy implementation, Wait Times Initiative, etc.)
    • existing funding mechanisms and budget processes;
  • With provincial and national professional bodies, develop standards and processes to recognize and certify CSRTs and monitor ongoing competence;
  • Develop strategies and mechanisms for communicating the value of the CSRT role to the provincial cancer centres;
  • Maximize dissemination of project findings; and
  • Develop and implement additional metrics that address identified data collection challenges.

CSRT Project Expands

In July 2008, in response to the recommendations made to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC), Phase II of the CSRT Demonstration Project has now selected and implemented five additional CSRT positions in cancer centres outside the GTA. The successful sites and positions are as follows:

  • Juravinski Cancer Centre - Bone Mets CSRT and Head and Neck CSRT
  • Kingston Regional Cancer Centre - Palliative CSRT
  • The Ottawa Hospital - Palliative CSRT and Tomotherapy/Adaptive CSRT

Phase II will examine how the CSRT role can be modified to create positions that meet different system and population needs. Consistent with the broader health human resources strategy for Ontario, the MOHLTC hopes these therapists will help smaller centres improve access to service, including traditionally “Harder to reach” populations such as francophone or aboriginal.

Phase I (extension) and Phase II (expansion) studies will build upon existing data, address gaps, determine whether the draft competency profile, can be used to create positions relevant to different geographic and demographic heads of Ontario. The new CSRTs will also participate in the collection of the standard project data to enhance the CSRT dataset.


2007 Issues
CSRT announcement

2006 Issues
Project Update May 2005
May 2005
Update - May 2006
2005 Bulletin

2004 Issues
October 2004 Bulletin
May 2004 Bulletin
March 2004 Bulletin