Open AccessCost‐containment in hypofractionated radiation therapy: a literature review
Author(s) -
Hunter Darren,
Mauldon Emily,
Anderson Nigel
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of medical radiation sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.484
H-Index - 18
eISSN - 2051-3909
pISSN - 2051-3895
DOI - 10.1002/jmrs.273
Subject(s) - medical physics , medicine , radiation therapy , health care , cost–benefit analysis , stereotactic radiation therapy , intensive care medicine , radiosurgery , surgery , economics , biology , economic growth , ecology
Recent technological advances in radiation therapy have allowed for greater accuracy in planning and treatment delivery. The development of hypofractionated radiation treatment regimens is an example, and has the potential to decrease the cost per episode of care, relative to conventional treatments. Our aim was to analyse published literature on the cost‐effectiveness and budgetary implications of hypofractionated radiation therapy. As such, this article will quantify the projected health care cost savings and address the optimal means of treatment delivery, associated patient outcomes, and implications arising from an increased use of hypofractionated regimens.