2933 - Building Sustainable Global Health Partnerships in Radiation Oncology
Presenter(s)
M. A. Eala1, E. T. Inocencio2, J. R. D. Posadas2, H. Dong1, J. Pham1, J. Charters1, D. Luximon1, C. V. I. Villafuerte2,3, J. P. A. Canal2, V. F. R. Hizon2, G. D. Legaspi4, J. Goss1, R. Wolff1, M. Lauria1, R. K. Chin1, M. L. Steinberg1, S. E. Tenn1, D. O'Connell1, and M. Cao5; 1Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 2Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Radiology, University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital, Manila, Philippines, 3Philippine National Ear Institute, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines, 4Department of Neurosurgery, University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital, Manila, Philippines, 5Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Purpose/Objective(s): Global health partnerships are critical to addressing disparities in radiotherapy access and expertise in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers are integral to capacity-building, but sustainable collaborations require structured, needs-driven engagement, institutional support, and long-term mentorship. This initiative between our institution and the largest government hospital in the Philippines demonstrates a replicable model for sustainable global health partnerships in radiation oncology.
Materials/Methods: A comprehensive needs assessment at our partner hospital identified critical gaps in SRS/SBRT treatment planning, immobilization, and quality assurance (QA), while a resource assessment at our institution determined how faculty expertise could be leveraged to address these needs. A 4-week observership at our institution provided training for medical physicists in CT simulation, treatment planning, and QA protocols. They participated in plan QA rounds, tumor boards, and structured mentorship. Weekly feedback sessions ensured training adjustments based on evolving needs. Virtual didactics enabled broader faculty engagement across institutions. The physicists also shared insights into radiotherapy in resource-limited settings, benefiting our institution trainees.
Results: This partnership enabled SRS/SBRT implementation in the Philippines by establishing institutional protocols for CT simulation, treatment planning, and QA at our partner hospital. Hands-on training strengthened clinical competencies, while structured curricula ensured ongoing education. A key outcome was direct faculty support for troubleshooting and mentorship during the observership and beyond. The bidirectional exchange of knowledge also broadened our trainees’ understanding of global oncology challenges. This laid the foundation for future research collaborations, including clinical trials tailored to the needs of LMICs and the use of automation tools to enhance efficiency.
Conclusion: We highlight how NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers can build sustainable global health partnerships to address radiotherapy disparities in LMICs. Key sustainability factors included institutional support (waiver of observership fees), faculty mentorship, and pre-existing institutional relationships fostering trust and collaboration. Weekly feedback-driven training adjustments ensured a responsive, dynamic observership. The partnership provided mutual learning opportunities, exposing our trainees to radiotherapy in low-resource settings. By integrating structured needs assessments, targeted training, and long-term mentorship, we developed a framework for capacity-building in radiation oncology, strengthening our partner’s ability to provide advanced radiotherapy while offering a model for sustainable and equitable global health partnerships.