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Practice patterns for peer review in radiation oncology.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Hoopes, DJ; Johnstone, PA; Chapin, PS; Kabban, CMS; Lee, WR; Chen, AB; Fraass, BA; Skinner, WJK; Marks, LB
Published in: Pract Radiat Oncol
2015

PURPOSE: Physician peer review seeks to improve the quality of care through the evaluation of physician performance, specifically medical decision making and technical expertise. To establish current peer review practice patterns, evaluate interest in recommendations for peer review, and establish a framework for future recommendations, the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) surveyed its physician members. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A radiation oncology-specific peer review survey instrument was developed, formally tested, and found to meet established levels of reliability and validity. The final instrument was delivered using a web-based survey platform including reminders. All ASTRO physician-members and members-in-training worldwide were invited by email to participate. RESULTS: A total of 5674 physicians were contacted starting in January 2013. A total of 572 physicians participated (10%) yielding a ±4% margin of error. Those responding were split evenly between academic providers and private practice and others. The median time since training=16 years, median number of new patients per year=215, and median practice size=6 physicians; 83% of respondents were involved in peer review and 75% were comfortable with their program. Of those involved, 65% report doing some review before radiation begins. Of patients treated by these physicians, 56% are reviewed before treatment. Peer review elements reviewed include overall treatment strategy (86%), dose and fractionation (89%), contouring (59%), and isodose or dose-volume histogram (75%). Ninety percent of physicians have changed radiation plans because of peer review. These providers make changes in 7%-10% of cases. Seventy-four percent of physicians agree that ASTRO should make formal peer review recommendations, with 7% in opposition. CONCLUSIONS: This survey suggests that peer review in radiation oncology is common and leads to changes in management in a meaningful fraction of cases. There is much variation in the manner of conducting, and reported utility of, peer review. The majority of ASTRO physician members support formal recommendations and guidance on peer review.

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Published In

Pract Radiat Oncol

DOI

EISSN

1879-8519

Publication Date

2015

Volume

5

Issue

1

Start / End Page

32 / 38

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Radiation Oncology
  • Quality Assurance, Health Care
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'
  • Peer Review
  • Humans
  • Health Care Surveys
  • 3211 Oncology and carcinogenesis
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Hoopes, D. J., Johnstone, P. A., Chapin, P. S., Kabban, C. M. S., Lee, W. R., Chen, A. B., … Marks, L. B. (2015). Practice patterns for peer review in radiation oncology. Pract Radiat Oncol, 5(1), 32–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prro.2014.04.004
Hoopes, David J., Peter A. Johnstone, Patrick S. Chapin, Christine M Schubert Kabban, W Robert Lee, Aileen B. Chen, Benedick A. Fraass, William J. K. Skinner, and Lawrence B. Marks. “Practice patterns for peer review in radiation oncology.Pract Radiat Oncol 5, no. 1 (2015): 32–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prro.2014.04.004.
Hoopes DJ, Johnstone PA, Chapin PS, Kabban CMS, Lee WR, Chen AB, et al. Practice patterns for peer review in radiation oncology. Pract Radiat Oncol. 2015;5(1):32–8.
Hoopes, David J., et al. “Practice patterns for peer review in radiation oncology.Pract Radiat Oncol, vol. 5, no. 1, 2015, pp. 32–38. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.prro.2014.04.004.
Hoopes DJ, Johnstone PA, Chapin PS, Kabban CMS, Lee WR, Chen AB, Fraass BA, Skinner WJK, Marks LB. Practice patterns for peer review in radiation oncology. Pract Radiat Oncol. 2015;5(1):32–38.
Journal cover image

Published In

Pract Radiat Oncol

DOI

EISSN

1879-8519

Publication Date

2015

Volume

5

Issue

1

Start / End Page

32 / 38

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Radiation Oncology
  • Quality Assurance, Health Care
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'
  • Peer Review
  • Humans
  • Health Care Surveys
  • 3211 Oncology and carcinogenesis
  • 3202 Clinical sciences