Date Approved

8-8-2023

Graduate Degree Type

Project

Degree Name

Medical Dosimetry (M.S.)

Degree Program

Allied Health Sciences

First Advisor

Alan Mayville MS, DABR

Academic Year

2022/2023

Abstract

Abstract

The purpose of this research study is to determine new trends in the medical dosimetry profession that relate to when and where work is being completed. It is also of interest to understand efficiencies within radiation oncology departments as well as how medical dosimetrists work arrangements impact job satisfaction. A voluntary survey of current medical dosimetrists was conducted which asked close-ended questions about simulation to treatment time frames, employment type, hours worked, departmental efficiency and perceived job satisfaction. It was established that the resulting 185 responses provided statistically significant results. Greater than half of participants answered yes to either in the past or currently, having experience with Flexible Work Arrangements which validated this survey subject. This sample population found that having a versatile work schedule was found to meet or in some categories, exceed the efficiency of a rigid on-site schedule for medical dosimetrists. Regardless of the amount of flexibility in the surveyed dosimetrists work schedule, most adhered to a typical Monday through Friday day shift. Specifically, efficiency was increased for dosimetrists working on intermediate plan types who had flexible work arrangements. Research also validated that Flexible Work Arrangements improve job satisfaction and demonstrated to have a positive impact on personal health, departmental morale and quality of work. In contrast, these findings indicated that dosimetrists who have experience with Flexible Work Arrangements reported a negative impact on areas such as collaboration, communication, pay and patient empathy. Even though most participants ranked face-to-face conversations as a small percentage of their necessary communication, they still felt that being out of the department had a negative impact. Also found, individuals working in multiple time zones showed a decrease in efficiencies when using the time from simulation to treatment as a determining factor. There were several 3 limitations to this study and areas for further research, but individuals in the medical dosimetry profession should become comfortable with the terminology of Flexible Work Arrangement and prepare for possible role restructuring.

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