Estimation of the Need for Radiation Therapy Services According to the Incidence of Cancer in Colombia to 2035

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the supply and demand of current and future radiotherapy services by 2035 for Colombia. Materials and methods: The current offer was estimated by applying a survey to the different radiotherapy services identified in Colombia through the Colombian Association of Radiation Oncology (ACRO by its Spanish acronym). The demand was estimated based on incident cases and published information on the use of radiotherapy by type of cancer. Future demand was estimated under the assumption that incidence rates do not change and therefore the change in the number of cases is due to the change in the age structure of the Colombian population. Sensitivity analyses were conducted on the percentage of radiotherapy use by type of cancer. A Monte Carlo simulation was carried out to estimate the distribution of cases requiring radiotherapy, the number of equipment and the number of staff needed for care with the use of this technology. Results: In total, Colombia has 69 linear accelerators, 2 multiple photon source radiosurgery equipment, 30 high dose rate brachytherapy equipment, 124 radiotherapy oncologists (113 working, 9 not working and 2 not informed) and 275 radiotherapy technologists as of June 2020. It was estimated that to meet the current cancer burden the country would need a total of 162 radiotherapy oncologists, 121 medical physicists and 323 radiotherapy technologists and to increase the number of radiotherapy technologists, radiotherapy oncologists, and medical physicists to 491, 246, and 184 respectively to meet the disease burden by 2035 (73,684 to 88,743 cases per year).Conclusions: In Colombia it is estimated that there is a deficit of human resources and technology for radiotherapy, therefore is needs to investment resources from the public and private sectors to provide timely and quality care to cancer patients requiring this treatment..

Dynamic geographical accessibility assessments to improve health equity: protocol for a test case in Cali, Colombia

“…For the reports, contextual data will be obtained to provide an overview of the use and demand of services. Sources include reports and platforms such as the “Cuentas de Alto Costo.” 82 – 84…”

Dynamic Geographical Accessibility Assessments to Improve Health Equity: Protocol for a Test Case in Cali, Colombia (Evaluaciones Dinámicas De Accesibilidad Geográfica Para Mejorar La Equidad: Prueba En Cali, Colombia: Protocolo De Investigación)

“…Sources include reports and platforms such as the "Cuentas de Alto Costo." [82][83][84] In preparatory dialogues with contributors, we learned about plans to transform Cali into a Special District with its 22 communes converted into six to eight minor districts to be led by minor district mayors. 85 This new political and administrative layout might raise interest in this topic as new authorities might want to discuss accessibility and equity issues with their constituents and in power-brokering negotiations, noting the equity implications of the concentration of health services in a few sectors of the city.…”