The number of work relative value units (wRVUs) produced by radiation oncologists increased by 14 percent from 2012 to 2015, according to a new study of Medicare and CMS data published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology.

The authors analyzed Medicare and CMS date and found that radiation oncologists were responsible for more than 12.8 million wRVUs in 2015. This is a 14-percent increase compared to 2012, when radiation oncologists produced more than 11.3 million wRVUs. These numbers only reflect care provided for Medicare beneficiaries.

The authors also noted a decrease of 7 percent in external beam radiation therapy treatments during that same timeframe.

“A decrease in the number of standard external beam radiation therapy treatments was identified, consistent with research supporting hypofractionation in many curative and palliative settings,” wrote lead author Charles C. Vu, MD, department of radiation oncology at Beaumont Health in Royal Oak, Michigan, and colleagues. “Special treatment modalities, including stereotactic radiosurgery, stereotactic body radiation therapy, and proton therapy, are being more frequently utilized as more centers obtain these advanced technologies.”

Vu and colleagues noted that “there has been significant concern of a shortage of radiation oncologists in the near future.” At this point, new consultations for radiation oncologists have only increased by 3 percent, and the number of radiation oncologists did increase by 4.5 percent from 2012 to 2015, but recent research still suggests a shortage could occur in the next 10 years.

The authors added that their wRVU numbers only reflect care provided for Medicare beneficiaries. In addition, they warned, “direct comparison of wRVUs between providers is challenging because of the diverse payer mixes of radiation oncologists.”