ORCID Profile
0000-0002-6963-6942
Current Organisation
GenesisCare
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Publisher: Wiley
Date: 16-08-2019
Abstract: This paper reports the key findings of the Faculty of Radiation Oncology 2018 workforce census and compares results with previous studies. The census was conducted in mid-2018 with distribution to all radiation oncologists and trainees listed on the college database in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and overseas. There were new questions about hours spent on multidisciplinary meetings (MDTS), leadership positions held, management of inpatients, hypofractionation, stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), income type and gynae-oncology work for radiation oncologists. Trainees were asked about time spent on planning and contouring. The overall response rate was 69.9% with 67.7% of radiation oncologists and 77.9% of trainees responding. There were 514 radiation oncologists with 60% male and a mean age of 49 years (median = 46 years, range 31-91). The majority of respondents were Caucasian (57.7%) and from New South Wales (29.4%). Sixty-one per cent were subspecialists with breast, SBRT and urological cancers, the most popular areas of interest, and 56% held leadership positions. The majority worked in the public sector (55.7%), but 31.7% worked solely in the private sector with an average working week of 43.4 hours (h) (median = 44, range 2-110). Radiation oncologists spent an average of 3.6 h on MDTS (median = 4 h), 2.2h (median = 2 h) on simulation and 8 h (median = 5 h) on contouring per week. They averaged 245 new patients (median = 250, range 30-695) and 25 inpatients (median = 20) per year. Hypofractionation was used for radical treatment of breast (75%) and prostate cancer (49%). Radiation oncologists were mainly remunerated with a fixed income (53%) with 40% having some incentive-based income. There were 140 trainees with an equal male and female distribution. The large majority (88%) were satisfied with their career and network (83%). Most trainees worked between 36 and 55h per week with 15% having no protected time. Most trainees spent less than 5 hours on planning each week and job availability remained a major concern (90%). The radiation oncologist numbers have increased significantly, but unemployment remains low. Many parameters remain similar to the 2014 census, but new information has been obtained on special interest areas, leadership positions, gynae-oncology, inpatients, hypofractionation use, remuneration and contouring. Trainee numbers remain stable with an increased percentage satisfied with their career with much less concern about oversupply. Protected time remains an issue with contouring time and teaching emerging as a potential issue.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 21-10-2023
DOI: 10.1111/JDV.18649
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 26-02-2021
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 06-02-2019
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 10-06-2022
Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly being integrated into the radiation oncology workflow, due to its improved soft tissue contrast without additional exposure to ionising radiation. A review of MRI utilisation according to evidence based departmental guidelines was performed. Guideline utilisation rates were calculated to be 50% (true utilisation rate was 46%) of all new cancer patients treated with adjuvant or curative intent, excluding simple skin and breast cancer patients. Guideline utilisation rates were highest in the lower gastrointestinal and gynaecological subsites, with the lowest being in the upper gastrointestinal and thorax subsites. Head and neck (38% vs 45%) and CNS (46% vs 67%) cancers had the largest discrepancy between true and guideline utilisation rates due to unnamed reasons and non‐contemporaneous diagnostic imaging respectively. This report outlines approximate MRI utilisation rates in a tertiary radiation oncology service and may help guide planning for future departments contemplating installation of an MRI simulator.
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Date: 2022
DOI: 10.1039/D2MA00378C
Abstract: Calcium–tantalum based perovskite oxynitrides were successfully prepared without ammonolysis. The colour of La 3+ -doped CaTa(O,N) 3 was comparable to that of CaTaO 2 N prepared by ammonolysis and inorganic yellow pigments using heavy metals.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 19-03-2023
DOI: 10.1002/CAM4.5815
Abstract: Patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) require multi‐modality treatment. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are now standard of care in management of recurrent/metastatic HNSCC. However, its role in the definitive and neoadjuvant setting remains unclear. A literature search was conducted that included all articles investigating ICI in untreated locally advanced (LA) HNSCC. Data was extracted and summarised and rated for quality using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Of 1086 records, 29 met the final inclusion criteria. In both concurrent and neoadjuvant settings, the addition of ICI was safe and did not delay surgery or reduce chemoradiotherapy completion. In the concurrent setting, although ICI use demonstrates objective responses in all published trials, there has not yet been published data to with PFS or OS benefit. In the neoadjuvant setting, combination ICI resulted in superior major pathological response rates compared to ICI monotherapy without a significant increase adverse event profiles, but its value in improving survival is not clear. ICI efficacy appears to be affected by tumour characteristics, in particular PD‐L1 combined positive score, HPV status and the tumour microenvironment. There is significant heterogeneity of ICI use in untreated LA HNSCC with multiple definitive concurrent and neoadjuvant protocols used. Resultantly, conclusions regarding the survival benefits of adding ICI to standard‐of‐care regimens cannot be made. Further trials and translational studies are required to elucidate optimal ICI sequencing in the definitive setting as well as better define populations more suited for neoadjuvant protocols.
No related grants have been discovered for Dion Forstner.