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Thesis (M.S.)--Boston University / The purpose ot this thesis is to compare two groups of patients, namely those who were given an immediate appointment following intake and those who were assigned after a waiting period. The study is confined to patients treated by social workers in the Boston Veterans Administration Mental Hygiene Clinic. It aims to learn what similarities and differences exist between the two groups; the effect ot a waiting period on patient's stay in treatment; and to determine the relationship of a number of factors to length, and outcome of treatment. According to the literature more stress is placed on motivation in relation to patient's sta7 in treatment than another factor. "The major purpose of the intake interview is to determine motivation, which is important in assessing the patient's treatment potential."2 This study is also curious to learn whether there is a relationship between motivation and length of treatment. It is hoped that this study may show what factors indicate further consideration with regard to patients placed on the waiting list.

M.Tech. / The recent increase in demand for radiotherapy services has led to significant delays in commencement of radical radiation treatment in most centres. Radiobiological principles suggest that a delay in starting radiotherapy may have a negative impact on tumour local control. To cope with the growing demand for radiotherapy, modern improvement models need to be accepted and adapted in radiotherapy departments. The PLAN DO STUDY ACT (PDSA) model is an example of such an improvement model which explores new possibilities of improvement through experimentation. This study aimed to determine the causes of radiotherapy delays, and to develop and implement improvements for reducing radiotherapy delays from patients’ referral to a radiotherapy department to the start of radiotherapy at Gaborone Oncology in Botswana. The objectives were to determine the causes of radiotherapy delays, develop and implement improvements of reducing radiotherapy delays using the PDSA model for improvement, and evaluate the effectiveness of the model. Patients who had received radical radiotherapy for head and neck, breast and cervix tumours were analysed as they are the commonly treated cancers at Gaborone Oncology. A retrospective survey was conducted for one year to establish the causes of radiotherapy delays from patient referral to the department to the start of radiation treatment. The PDSA model for improvement was then implemented and monitored for evidence of improvement from May to December 2008. The PDSA model showed significant reduction in radiotherapy delays at Gaborone Oncology. The results showed a decrease in radiotherapy delays in head and neck, breast and cervix cancers from an average delay time of 18.5 days in May 2008 to 8.6 days by December 2008.