Freestanding radiation oncology practice sites were 56% more likely to close than hospital-affiliated sites from 2018 to 2025, according to a study published July 9 in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics.
Researchers analyzed radiation oncology practice site data from CMS’s Doctors and Clinicians National Downloadable File to assess which structural and geographic factors were tied to site closures.
Here are five notes from the study:
- Freestanding sites had significantly higher odds of closing than hospital-affiliated sites over the study period, even after accounting for other factors.
- More than 80% of radiation oncology sites were hospital-affiliated as of 2021, a share that held stable throughout the available reporting years.
- Sites in rural counties had 44% higher odds of closing than those in urban counties.
- Larger organizational size was linked to modestly higher odds of site closure.
- The total number of U.S. radiation oncology sites held relatively stable from 2018 to 2022 before declining from 3,338 sites in 2023 to 3,145 in 2025.
Read the full study here.
At the Becker's Perioperative Summit, taking place September 14–15 in Chicago, perioperative leaders and healthcare executives will focus on improving operating room efficiency, enhancing patient safety, optimizing staffing and driving innovation across surgical services. Apply for complimentary registration now.
