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Janssen S, El Shafie RA, Grohmann M, Knippen S, Putora PM, Beck M, Baehr A, Clemens P, Stefanowicz S, Rades D, Becker JN, Fahlbusch FB. Survey in radiation oncology departments in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland: state of digitalization by 2023. Strahlenther Onkol 2023:10.1007/s00066-023-02182-7. [PMID: 38052968 DOI: 10.1007/s00066-023-02182-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this work was to assess the current state of digitalization in radiation oncology departments in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. METHODS A comprehensive survey was conducted in a digital format, consisting of 53 questions that covered various aspects of digitalization including patient workflow, departmental organization, radiotherapy planning, and employee-related aspects. RESULTS Overall, 120 forms were eligible for evaluation. Participants were mainly physicians or medical physicists responsible for digitalization aspects in their departments. Nearly 70% of the institutions used electronic patient records, with 50% being completely paperless. However, the use of smartphone apps for electronic patient reported outcomes (ePROMs) and digital health applications (DIGA) was limited (9% and 4.9%, respectively). In total, 70.8% of the radio-oncology departments had interfaces with diagnostic departments, and 36% had digital interchanges with other clinics. Communication with external partners was realized mainly through fax (72%), e‑mails (55%), postal letters (63%), or other digital exchange formats (28%). Almost half of the institutions (49%) had dedicated IT staff for their operations. CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge, this survey is the first of its kind conducted in German-speaking radiation oncology departments within the medical field. The findings suggest that there is a varied level of digitalization implementation within these departments, with certain areas exhibiting lower rates of digitalization that could benefit from targeted improvement initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Janssen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.
- Private Practice of Radiation Oncology, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Rami A El Shafie
- Clinic of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Maximilian Grohmann
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Knippen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Helios Hospitals Schwerin, 19053 Schwerin, Germany
- Department for Human Medicine, MSH Medical School Hamburg, 20457 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Paul M Putora
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Marcus Beck
- Department of Radiooncology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrea Baehr
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Patrick Clemens
- Department of Radio-Oncology, Academic Teaching Hospital Feldkirch, Carinagasse 47, 6800, Feldkirch, Austria
| | - Sarah Stefanowicz
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Dirk Rades
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Jan-Niklas Becker
- Department of Radiotherapy and Special Oncology, Medical School Hannover, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Fabian B Fahlbusch
- Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Augsburg, 86156 Augsburg, Germany
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