The Radiation Oncology Treatment Planning Triad and Implications for Residency Training in the Current Telework Environment

Summary: An analysis based on an IRB-approved anonymous survey evaluating the perceptions and attitudes of the Radiation Oncology treatment triad (Dosimetrists, Physicists, Radiation Oncologists) at a single institution, pertaining to workload, workflow efficiency, communication, and perceived competence to determine implications for Radiation Oncology residency training. Key summary points include: - The quality of the current dosimetrist-physician relationship has slightly improved. - Dosimetrists have more telework days; influence of this difference on team dynamics is unknown. - Perception differences of triad communication are present, with physician communication quality ranked lower. - Timeliness of contours was an area for physician improvement. - Communication breakdown, lack of machine treatment capacity, and inefficient workflows were reported as the major pain points.