Developing any new radiation oncology program requires planning and analysis of the current state of the facility and its capacity to take on another program. Staff must consider a large number of factors to establish a feasible, safe, and sustainable program. We present a simple and generic outline that lays out the process for developing and implementing a new HDR brachytherapy program in any setting, but with particular emphasis on challenges associated with starting the program in a limited resource setting. The sections include feasibility of a program, starting cases, machine and equipment selection, and quality and safety.
Keywords: Brachytherapy; HDR; Implementing new treatment techniques; International; Limited resource setting; Quality and safety.
Copyright © 2020 American Brachytherapy Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.