Doha, Qatar: Over the years, remarkable transformations have taken place within the radiation oncology department at Hamad Medical Corporation’s National Center for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR). These changes were strategically designed to enhance the standard and safety of patient care.
Within a short span of time, the department achieved remarkable success in swiftly incorporating and executing modern radiation oncology practices in Qatar. This achievement was made possible through the implementation of cutting-edge technologies, attracting the best brains in the field, and by investing in research and ongoing education.
“Overall, these changes have contributed to significant improvements in the quality of patient care and treatment outcomes. The NCCCR radiotherapy department continues to strive for excellence in cancer care and research, and we can expect to see continued advancements in the field in the years to come,” said Chief of Medical Physics, Radiation Oncology at NCCCR, Dr. Rabih Hammoud.
One of the primary areas of focus for the radiation oncology department was technical improvements.
“The department implemented several advanced technologies, such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT), and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). These techniques allow for more precise delivery of radiation to tumors, resulting in better treatment outcomes and fewer side effects,” said Dr. Hammoud.
According to News and Views newsletter published by NCCCR, the radiation oncology department at NCCCR has established Brachytherapy services, implemented frameless Stereotactic Radiosurgeries, commissioned and installed the first robotic dedicated Radiosurgery unit in the region, Cyberknife in 2015 and commissioned and clinically implemented the most advanced technology, Adaptive Radiotherapy with the integration of Artificial Intelligence in 2022. Apart from the Therapeutic equipment, the department progressed in acquiring the most appropriate diagnostic and simulation tools including CT and MR Scanners.
“The services at the department are supported by evidence based, multidisciplinary approach and fast adoption and utilization of technological advancements in the field at par with the rest of the world. Apart from developing a robust clinical program, the department focused on principles of patient centeredness and cultural appropriateness for the services offered by NCCCR and has implemented strong processes and practices to ensure service excellence is maintained at highest level along with clinical excellence and patient safety,” said Dr. Hammoud.
“Another key area of improvement was in manpower. The radiation oncology department has heavily invested in staff recruitment, training and development to ensure that all healthcare professionals are up to date with the latest techniques and technologies. Our department focuses in retaining the talents through employee engagement and team building activities,” he added.
The radiation oncology department has also invested in research and ongoing education by the creation of a dedicated research team to promote research. It has already established numerous collaborations and published several papers in reputable scientific journals. Also radiation oncology department at NCCCR is taking an active role in organizing workshops and courses to promote education and training in the field of medical physics.