Radiotherapy Information System in Cancer Treatment Improvement: A Case Study at the Brazilian National Cancer...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Health Informatics
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Radiotherapy is a cornerstone of cancer treatment, utilized by approximately 50% of patients globally.
• Brazil experiences significant radiotherapy access challenges due to insufficient facilities, equipment, trained personnel, and inadequate reimbursement.
• Inefficiencies in patient scheduling exacerbate treatment delays in the Brazilian public healthcare system.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of implementing a Radiotherapy Information System (RIS) on cancer care delivery in Brazil.
• To assess the potential of RIS as a disruptive innovation to overcome radiotherapy access barriers.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of the Radiotherapy Information System (RIS) for managing patient scheduling.
• Analysis of system impact on treatment efficiency and waiting times at the Brazilian National Cancer Institute.

Main Results:

• The RIS implementation significantly improved the management of radiotherapy patient scheduling.
• The system demonstrated a radical improvement in the cancer treatment process, reducing waiting times.
• RIS deployment represents a disruptive innovation within the Brazilian public health system for cancer care.

Conclusions:

• The Radiotherapy Information System (RIS) is a vital tool for enhancing radiotherapy service efficiency in resource-limited settings.
• Successful RIS implementation can mitigate radiotherapy shortages and improve patient outcomes.
• Information system deployment is crucial for modernizing public health infrastructure and cancer treatment pathways.