Delivery of Radiation Therapy in Resource-Limited Settings: A Pilot Quality Assessment Study

Abstract

Progress has been made in resource-limited countries in treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia, but advances in solid malignancies have been slower. Multidisciplinary care coordination is challenging; assessing adherence to guidelines through quality improvement initiatives is essential. We characterized deviations from guidelines in the delivery of radiation in a middle-income country program as a pilot for evaluating adequacy of local control and as surrogate for integration of multidisciplinary care. One-third of patients for whom it was indicated did not receive radiation. Of the patients who received radiation, 95% had a deviation. This study underscores the importance of quality assessment in resource-limited settings.