Tasks' Assignments In Radiotherapy Units: Regulations And Practice Recommendations

Radiation therapy prescription and delivery are the result of a teamwork requiring the specific skills from various professionals. Regulation in force for some of them (medical physicists, or health professionals such as radiation oncologists and radiotherapists) has not followed the evolution of the organization of radiotherapy units, which had to adapt to miscellaneous constraints. This paper analyzes the tasks' assignments among professionals according to current regulations and practices and suggests some regulation change. Recognizing medical physicists and dosimetrists as health professionals is a natural evolution in the practice of radiation therapy. Arguments in favor of such are being discussed here. A larger autonomy of radiotherapists appears necessary and feasible. Whatever the tasks' assignments in radiotherapy units, it should be formally consigned in the management system documentation. Regulations and practice recommendations have deeply evolved over time and justify regulation adjustments. Propositions from the French societies of radiation oncologists, medical physicists and radiotherapists are submitted to French authorities. Decisions are expected. (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS on behalf of the Societe francaise de radiotherapie oncologique (SFRO).