Radiation Treatment Wait Times
This indicator is calculated based on provincial and national wait time data for the first two quarters of the fiscal year (April–September) and includes all procedures that are publicly funded under the provincial health plan.
The percentage within the benchmark is calculated by dividing the number of cases who received care within the benchmark by all cases, multiplied by 100.
Unit of Analysis: Episode of care
Calculation of all-Canada estimates:
All-Canada Percentage Meeting Benchmark
The national percentage meeting benchmark estimates was calculated as follows:
National percentage meeting benchmark = Total patients meeting benchmark for each province ÷ Total procedures performed × 100
Number of adults who received their first radiation therapy
Number of adults who received the first radiation therapy within 28 days (4 weeks) from the date they were ready to be treated. Includes oncology planning time. Excludes patient unavailable time.
Methodology
Name
Radiation Treatment Wait Times
Short/Other Names
Wait Times for Radiation Therapy (Percentage Meeting Benchmark)
Description
Percentage of patients within a province who received their first radiation therapy within the benchmark (28 days) from the date they were ready to be treated.
Rationale
In 2004, Canada's first ministers agreed to work toward reducing wait times for five priority areas: cancer treatment, cardiac care, diagnostic imaging, joint replacement and sight restoration. CIHI was mandated to collect wait time information and monitor provincial progress in meeting benchmarks.
Many factors affect wait times, for example, availability of resources, efficiency of a particular facility, seasonal effects, volumes, patient choice, patient condition, follow-up care and/or treatment complexity.
This indicator can be used to help understand access to care and to know how provinces are performing in providing access to services.
HSP Framework Dimension
Health system outputs: Access to comprehensive, high-quality health services
Areas of Need
Getting Better
Targets/Benchmarks
Within 4 weeks (28 days)
Available Data Years
to (fiscal years)
Geographic Coverage
- All provinces
Reporting Level/Disaggregation
- National
- Province/Territory
Indicator Results
Update Frequency
Every year
Latest Results Update Date
Updates
There might be some provincial exceptions to the standard methodology each year. For more information, visit the Wait Times website and view provincial exceptions For details, please see the Trend tab of CIHI’s wait times visualization.
Description
This indicator is calculated based on provincial and national wait time data for the first two quarters of the fiscal year (April–September) and includes all procedures that are publicly funded under the provincial health plan.
The percentage within the benchmark is calculated by dividing the number of cases who received care within the benchmark by all cases, multiplied by 100.
Unit of Analysis: Episode of care
Calculation of all-Canada estimates:
All-Canada Percentage Meeting Benchmark
The national percentage meeting benchmark estimates was calculated as follows:
National percentage meeting benchmark = Total patients meeting benchmark for each province ÷ Total procedures performed × 100
Type of Measurement
Percentage or proportion
Denominator
Description:
Number of adults who received their first radiation therapy
Inclusions:
- Age 18 and older
- 1.^^.27. ^^ Radiation, any site
- All referrals to start or initiate radiation treatment
- All priority levels and all cancer types
Numerator
Description:
Number of adults who received the first radiation therapy within 28 days (4 weeks) from the date they were ready to be treated. Includes oncology planning time. Excludes patient unavailable time.
Inclusions:
- Age 18 and older
- 1.^^.27. ^^ Radiation, any site
- All referrals to start or initiate radiation treatment
- All priority levels and all cancer types rolled up
Method of Adjustment
Not applicable
Adjustment Applied
None
Geographic Assignment
Place of service
Data Sources
- Provincial Wait Times Registry
Data may come from various sources, depending on the province.
Caveats and Limitations
Some provinces may have some exceptions and their methodology may be slightly different than the standard methodology. For details, please see the Trend tab of CIHI’s wait times visualization.
Trending Issues
Since 2008, an increasing number of provinces have adapted to the standard methodology to increase the comparability of results. When comparing data for a particular province over time, attention should be given to the exceptions. For details, please see the Trend tab of CIHI’s wait times visualization.
References
Health Canada. A 10-Year Plan to Strengthen Health Care. Health Canada. Updated September 16, 2004. Accessed June 7, 2013.
How to cite:
Canadian Institute for Health Information. Radiation Treatment Wait Times . Accessed April 24, 2025.
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Comments
Not applicable