Survey in radiation oncology departments in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland: state of digitalization by 2023

TY - JOUR

T1 - Survey in radiation oncology departments in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland: state of digitalization by 2023

AU - Janssen, Stefan

AU - El Shafie, Rami A

AU - Grohmann, Maximilian

AU - Knippen, Stefan

AU - Putora, Paul M

AU - Beck, Marcus

AU - Baehr, Andrea

AU - Clemens, Patrick

AU - Stefanowicz, Sarah

AU - Rades, Dirk

AU - Becker, Jan-Niklas

AU - Fahlbusch, Fabian B

N1 - © 2023. The Author(s).

PY - 2024/6

Y1 - 2024/6

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

U2 - 10.1007/s00066-023-02182-7

DO - 10.1007/s00066-023-02182-7

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 38052968

VL - 200

SP - 497

EP - 506

JO - STRAHLENTHER ONKOL

JF - STRAHLENTHER ONKOL

SN - 0179-7158

IS - 6

ER -