Search

The objective of this study was to obtain information on the performance of the oncological Health Service Providing Institutions (IPS per their initials in Spanish). The method used was a descriptive study based on surveys. We found that of every 73 forms sent to IPS with enabled oncology services and to Level II State Social Enterprises (ESE per their initials in Spanish), 42 were returned (57.5%). We evaluated outpatient activities and calculated the theoretical supply and the availability of human resources. The facilities that have inpatient service for cancer patients were described and their cancer diagnostic procedures, treatment and monitoring aspects were assessed. The results of the study showed that cancer services in Bogotá are mostly private, that there is a lack of integration between the specialties and that the range of services currently available should be sufficient for present needs, except for gastrointestinal cancer surgery service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to obtain information on the performance of the oncological Health Service Providing Institutions (IPS per their initials in Spanish). The method used was a descriptive study based on surveys. We found that of every 73 forms sent to IPS with enabled oncology services and to Level II State Social Enterprises (ESE per their initials in Spanish), 42 were returned (57.5%). We evaluated outpatient activities and calculated the theoretical supply and the availability of human resources. The facilities that have inpatient service for cancer patients were described and their cancer diagnostic procedures, treatment and monitoring aspects were assessed. The results of the study showed that cancer services in Bogotá are mostly private, that there is a lack of integration between the specialties and that the range of services currently available should be sufficient for present needs, except for gastrointestinal cancer surgery service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main responsibilities of medical physicists are: research in the interactions of the ionizing radiation with human tissues, optimization of the radiotherapy treatments, development of quality control programs and supervision of the correct use in the applications of ionizing radiation in therapy and diagnosis. In this article we present the Medical Physics situation in Colombia, without forgiving the steps that bring us to the present day. We considered all the recommendations made by the surveys 37 radiotherapy centers between October 1999 and January 2001, the international recommendations, the national legislation and the academic programs existing in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]