Rolling out RapidPlan: What we've learnt

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiation Oncology
• Radiotherapy Planning

Background:

• RapidPlan (RP) is a knowledge-based system designed to enhance radiotherapy plan quality and efficiency.
• Implementation challenges include model training and departmental integration.
• This study details the experience of integrating RP into a clinical institution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical implementation and performance of RapidPlan (RP) in a radiotherapy department.
• To assess the efficiency and plan quality of RP compared to manual planning (MP).

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of patients planned with RP over a 7-month period.
• Primary outcome: clinically acceptable plans.
• Secondary outcomes: model performance, efficiency, and plan quality comparison with MP.

Main Results:

• RP created clinically acceptable plans for 87.2% of eligible patients.
• Overall planning time was reduced by up to 95% compared to MP.
• RP plan quality was equivalent to historical MP plans regarding target coverage and OAR constraints.

Conclusions:

• Despite initial implementation challenges, RP significantly improves departmental efficiency.
• RP-generated plans meet clinical acceptability standards for quality.
• RP is a highly effective tool for clinical radiotherapy practice.