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Irradiator Commissioning and Dosimetry for Assessment of LQ α and β Parameters, Radiation Dosing Schema, and in vivo Dose Deposition
Published on: March 11, 2021
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Quantifying the Risk of Technology-Driven Health Disparities in Radiation Oncology
Alexander Moncion1, Alex K Bryant2, Carlos E Cardenas3
1Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Practical Radiation Oncology
|July 11, 2024
Summary
A new metric assesses health disparity risks from radiation oncology technology limitations. This helps ensure equitable care for vulnerable patients by quantifying and addressing technological inequities.
Area of Science:
- Radiation Oncology
- Health Equity
- Medical Technology Assessment
Background:
- Emerging technologies in radiation oncology present potential challenges.
- Technological limitations can exacerbate health care disparities in vulnerable patient groups.
- Equitable care requires careful consideration of these limitations for all technologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a health disparity risk assessment metric for radiation oncology technologies.
- To provide a framework for evaluating the impact of technology on vulnerable populations.
- To guide clinics and vendors in ensuring equitable patient care.
Main Methods:
- A health disparity risk assessment metric was developed, inspired by failure mode and effects analysis.
- Sample patient populations and associated disparities were identified.
- Guidelines and example applications for the methodology were provided.
Main Results:
- A disparity risk priority number is calculated using patient impact percentage, severity of dosimetric uncertainty/plan quality, and technology dependence.
- This metric ranks the risk of suboptimal care due to technical limitations.
- It aids in planning interventions for inequitable technology performance.
Conclusions:
- The proposed methodology simplifies the evaluation of new technology's impact on vulnerable populations.
- It enables clinics to quantify technological resource limitations.
- It supports the planning of interventions to enhance equity in radiation treatments.
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