Survey in radiation oncology departments in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland: state of digitalization by 2023
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Survey in radiation oncology departments in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland: state of digitalization by 2023. / Janssen, Stefan; El Shafie, Rami A; Grohmann, Maximilian; Knippen, Stefan; Putora, Paul M; Beck, Marcus; Baehr, Andrea; Clemens, Patrick; Stefanowicz, Sarah; Rades, Dirk; Becker, Jan-Niklas; Fahlbusch, Fabian B.
In: STRAHLENTHER ONKOL, Vol. 200, No. 6, 06.2024, p. 497-506.Research output: SCORING: Contribution to journal › SCORING: Journal article › Research › peer-review
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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 -