Assessing the waiting time for radiotherapy treatment in Uganda : retrospective study at Uganda Cancer Institute

Abstract

Main objective: This study aimed to investigate the patient waiting time for radiotherapy treatment at the Uganda Cancer Institute. The study focused on understanding the delays and barriers faced by cancer patients in accessing timely radiotherapy treatment, which is crucial to improving patient treatment outcomes. Methodology: The proposed research utilized a retrospective study design to analyze the waiting times experienced by patients seeking radiotherapy at the Uganda Cancer Institute. By examining the historical data and patient records, the study aims to identify bottlenecks in the treatment process and assess whether these delays impact patient care and overall treatment effectiveness. Key components of the research included mapping out the care pathways for patients undergoing radiotherapy, calculating median waiting times from registration to treatment initiation, and identifying any deviations from ideal waiting times. The study also explored reported barriers that contribute to inconsistent patient waiting times in accessing radiotherapy services. Results: A total of 100 patient records were reviewed, with seventy containing complete data for analysis. The mean waiting time from simulation to treatment onset was approximately 16 days, with a median of 26 days and a maximum delay of 7 days. Significant variability was observed, with prostate and cervical cancer patients experiencing the longest delays. Systemic bottlenecks identified included periodic treatment machine breakdowns, specialist shortages, workflow inefficiencies, delays in staging investigations, and financial barriers. A pie chart analysis attributed 25% of delays to specialist shortages, 20% to poor navigation, 18% to external staging investigations, and 12% to financial barriers. These delays were associated with substantial psychological, clinical, and economic consequences, emphasizing the need for a more streamlined workflow, staffing, and infrastructural reforms. Conclusion: By assessing the current waiting times for radiotherapy treatment and identifying issues contributing to a variation in waiting times, the study aimed to contribute towards enhancing the quality of cancer care delivery and optimizing patient treatment outcome.