[Remote radiation planning support system].

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Oncology
• Health Informatics

Context:

• Healthcare systems face challenges in providing specialized radiotherapy services across geographically dispersed locations.
• Ensuring consistent quality and access to expert radiation oncology care is crucial for patient outcomes.

Purpose:

• To develop and implement a secure remote radiation planning support system connecting two hospitals within the Kyushu University network.
• To enable radiation oncologists at Kyushu University Hospital to remotely plan and verify radiotherapy treatments for patients at Kyushu University Beppu Hospital.

Summary:

• A virtual private network (VPN) connected the radiology information system for radiotherapy division (RT-RIS) and radiation planning system (RTPS) between Kyushu University Hospital (KUH) and Kyushu University Beppu Hospital (KBH).
• Radiation oncologists at KBH initiate planning, anonymously transmit patient data to KUH, where KUH oncologists review and modify plans via remote access to KBH's RTPS.
• Finalized treatment plans are executed at KBH, ensuring expert oversight and standardized care delivery.

Impact:

• The established remote system facilitates safe and accurate radiation therapy delivery by leveraging expertise across institutions.
• This model demonstrates the potential for improved access to specialized oncological care through technological integration.
• The system enhances collaboration among radiation oncology teams, potentially leading to better patient management and outcomes.