Implementation of a Novel Remote Physician SBRT Coverage Process during the Coronavirus Pandemic

Alex T Price; Lauren E Henke; Borna Maraghechi; Taeho Kim; Matthew B Spraker; Geoffrey D Hugo; Clifford G Robinson; Nels C Knutson

Radiation oncology is not on the front-line of this pandemic but is directly impacted by the disease through anticipatory reductions in staffing to reduce exposure risks, quarantine of infected or exposed providers, and reallocation of the workforce as providers are called upon to reinforce other specialties. Absence of a certain radiation oncology sub-specialist or specialty staff member due to these factors could result in sub-optimal care or lack of availability of certain types of specialty care procedures like stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) 7, 8 . Patients with cancer are also at higher risk of fatality from infection 9, 10 , which further underscores the need for increased efforts to minimize transmission within the radiation oncology department to protect these at risk patients. To maximize the availability of staff members, as well as to limit the exposure risks amidst staff and oncology patients incurred through common interactions like in-person SBRT coverage, digital care and coverage techniques must be implemented.