Sousa F, Couto J G, Callens D, Van Gestel D
Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels University Hospital, Jules Bordet Institute, Radiotherapy Department, Rue Meylemeersch 90, 1070 Bruxelles, Belgium; Inholland University of Applied Sciences, School of Health, Haarlem, the Netherlands.
Radiography Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Msida, MSD2080, Malta.
Radiography (Lond). 2025 Jan;31(1):359-371. doi: 10.1016/j.radi.2024.12.014. Epub 2024 Dec 30.
Radiation Therapists (RTTs) are crucial in delivering Radiotherapy (RT) to cancer patients. The advancements in RT technology and the increasing cancer incidence have heightened the demand for RTTs, necessitating strategic workforce planning at the national level. This study aims to identify and estimate current and future RTT workforce in Belgium.
A self-designed survey based on a literature review, validated and distributed to all RTT managers in Belgium, requested information about departmental activities, current workforce, and future needs to allow for the calculation of workforce needs. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics for closed-ended and thematic analysis for open-ended responses.
In 2022, Belgium had 544 RTTs or 461 full-time equivalents (FTE) RTTs. Even though 448.5 FTE RTTs would be enough to comply with Belgium law requirements, RTT managers argued that 509 FTE RTTs is more realistic to meet demands of current practice. The study identified a 20% workforce deficit, indicating a shortfall of approximately 113 RTTs. Additionally, 20% growth in annual RT treatments exacerbates this deficiency, implying a need for around 574 FTE RTTs by 2025.
This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the Belgian RTTs workforce. While the current number of RTTs meets legal requirements, it falls short of the ideal FTEs required to meet current practice. By 2025, the demand for RTTs is expected to surpass 2022's needs, highlighting a critical workforce shortage. Further research is necessary to identify ways to close this workforce gap.
The Belgian regulations governing RT departments must be updated to reflect current practices. The findings of this study are essential for planning the RTTs workforce in Belgium, ensuring adequate staffing to meet future RT demands.
放射治疗师在为癌症患者提供放射治疗方面至关重要。放射治疗技术的进步以及癌症发病率的上升，增加了对放射治疗师的需求，这就需要在国家层面进行战略劳动力规划。本研究旨在识别和估计比利时当前及未来的放射治疗师劳动力情况。
基于文献综述自行设计了一项调查问卷，经验证后分发给比利时所有放射治疗师管理人员，询问有关部门活动、当前劳动力以及未来需求的信息，以便计算劳动力需求。对封闭式问题的数据采用描述性统计分析，对开放式回答采用主题分析。
2022年，比利时有544名放射治疗师或相当于461个全职当量（FTE）的放射治疗师。尽管448.5个FTE的放射治疗师足以符合比利时法律要求，但放射治疗师管理人员认为，509个FTE的放射治疗师才能更实际地满足当前实践的需求。该研究发现劳动力短缺20%，即短缺约113名放射治疗师。此外，每年放射治疗治疗量增长20%加剧了这一短缺，这意味着到2025年需要约574个FTE的放射治疗师。
本研究对比利时放射治疗师劳动力进行了全面分析。虽然目前放射治疗师的数量符合法律要求，但未达到满足当前实践所需的理想FTE数量。到2025年，预计对放射治疗师的需求将超过2022年的需求，凸显出严重的劳动力短缺。有必要进行进一步研究以确定缩小这一劳动力差距的方法。
比利时关于放射治疗部门的法规必须更新以反映当前实践。本研究结果对于规划比利时放射治疗师劳动力至关重要，可确保有足够的人员配备以满足未来放射治疗需求。
