Assistance systems for patient positioning in radiotherapy practice

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiotherapy Technology
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Accurate patient positioning is essential for effective radiotherapy delivery using linear accelerators.
• Digitally networked radiotherapy offers opportunities for advanced assistance systems.
• Current patient positioning systems require further development for enhanced efficiency and accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze existing patient positioning systems in radiotherapy.
• To develop new knowledge and a conceptual model for an improved patient positioning system.
• To provide guidance for system designers in radiotherapy.

Main Methods:

• Application of the Design Science Research methodology.
• Conducting a systematic literature review on patient positioning systems.
• Performing an online survey to gather data on assistance systems and derive design requirements.

Main Results:

• A comprehensive analysis of current patient positioning systems was performed.
• Design requirements for an effective assistance system were identified through literature review and survey data.
• An artefact in the form of a conceptual model for a patient positioning system was developed.

Conclusions:

• The conceptual model provides a foundation for developing advanced assistance systems in radiotherapy.
• The study contributes to academic knowledge on patient positioning and offers practical guidance for system designers.
• Improved patient positioning systems can enhance the efficiency and accuracy of cancer treatment through radiotherapy.