Mobile applications in radiation oncology—current choices and future potentials

Shafie, Rami A El; Ruder, Arne Mathias; Buergy, Daniel; Scafa, Davide; Giordano, Frank A.; Nicolay, Nils H.; Vogel, Marco M. E.; Combs, Stephanie E.; Fahlbusch, Fabian; Rades, Dirk; Käsmann, Lukas

doi:10.1007/s00066-023-02048-y

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 58 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Furthermore, these two applications were designed for breast cancer patients and not specifically for radiotherapy patients. This fits well with a previous report of the DEGRO working group reviewing apps in the field of radiation oncology [ 15 ]. In line with low rates of DIGA application, the utilization of smartphone apps for collecting ePROMs (electronic patient-reported outcomes) was not widespread, possibly due to hesitation in the radiation oncology field where older patients may have limited familiarity with digital technologies.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Survey in radiation oncology departments in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland: state of digitalization by 2023

Janssen,

El Shafie,

Grohmann

et al. 2023

Strahlenther Onkol

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose The aim of this work was to assess the current state of digitalization in radiation oncology departments in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Methods A comprehensive survey was conducted in a digital format, consisting of 53 questions that covered various aspects of digitalization including patient workflow, departmental organization, radiotherapy planning, and employee-related aspects. Results Overall, 120 forms were eligible for evaluation. Participants were mainly physicians or medical physicists responsible for digitalization aspects in their departments. Nearly 70% of the institutions used electronic patient records, with 50% being completely paperless. However, the use of smartphone apps for electronic patient reported outcomes (ePROMs) and digital health applications (DIGA) was limited (9% and 4.9%, respectively). In total, 70.8% of the radio-oncology departments had interfaces with diagnostic departments, and 36% had digital interchanges with other clinics. Communication with external partners was realized mainly through fax (72%), e‑mails (55%), postal letters (63%), or other digital exchange formats (28%). Almost half of the institutions (49%) had dedicated IT staff for their operations. Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this survey is the first of its kind conducted in German-speaking radiation oncology departments within the medical field. The findings suggest that there is a varied level of digitalization implementation within these departments, with certain areas exhibiting lower rates of digitalization that could benefit from targeted improvement initiatives.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Survey in radiation oncology departments in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland: state of digitalization by 2023

Janssen,

El Shafie,

Grohmann

et al. 2023

Strahlenther Onkol

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Currently, the parameters for the scores have to be entered manually into mostly web- or app-based calculators ( 20 ). Likewise, the intersectoral exchange between the various service providers in patient care still takes place by means of paper printouts and faxes ( 21 ). Many countries such as Sweden have been working with intersectoral electronic patient records for years, but the automated exchange of structured data (e.g., via CDA document or HL7 FHIR) has not been established yet ( 22 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Smart hospital: achieving interoperability and raw data collection from medical devices in clinical routine

Martens,

Haase,

Mastella

et al. 2024

Front. Digit. Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

IntroductionToday, modern technology is used to diagnose and treat cardiovascular disease. These medical devices provide exact measures and raw data such as imaging data or biosignals. So far, the Broad Integration of These Health Data into Hospital Information Technology Structures—Especially in Germany—is Lacking, and if data integration takes place, only non-Evaluable Findings are Usually Integrated into the Hospital Information Technology Structures. A Comprehensive Integration of raw Data and Structured Medical Information has not yet Been Established. The aim of this project was to design and implement an interoperable database (cardio-vascular-information-system, CVIS) for the automated integration of al medical device data (parameters and raw data) in cardio-vascular medicine.MethodsThe CVIS serves as a data integration and preparation system at the interface between the various devices and the hospital IT infrastructure. In our project, we were able to establish a database with integration of proprietary device interfaces, which could be integrated into the electronic health record (EHR) with various HL7 and web interfaces.ResultsIn the period between 1.7.2020 and 30.6.2022, the data integrated into this database were evaluated. During this time, 114,858 patients were automatically included in the database and medical data of 50,295 of them were entered. For technical examinations, more than 4.5 million readings (an average of 28.5 per examination) and 684,696 image data and raw signals (28,935 ECG files, 655,761 structured reports, 91,113 x-ray objects, 559,648 ultrasound objects in 54 different examination types, 5,000 endoscopy objects) were integrated into the database. Over 10.2 million bidirectional HL7 messages (approximately 14,000/day) were successfully processed. 98,458 documents were transferred to the central document management system, 55,154 materials (average 7.77 per order) were recorded and stored in the database, 21,196 diagnoses and 50,353 services/OPS were recorded and transferred. On average, 3.3 examinations per patient were recorded; in addition, there are an average of 13 laboratory examinations.DiscussionFully automated data integration from medical devices including the raw data is feasible and already creates a comprehensive database for multimodal modern analysis approaches in a short time. This is the basis for national and international projects by extracting research data using FHIR.

show abstract

“…As a high-frequency treatment, typically over several weeks and with increasing symptom burden over time, RT seems to be a setting with great overall potential for mhealth applications. However, the actual implementation of these applications by healthcare providers is still lagging behind [ 15 ]. In this publication, we report the findings of a prospective feasibility study assessing app-based treatment monitoring during curative RT.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Oncologic treatment support via a dedicated mobile app: a prospective feasibility evaluation (OPTIMISE-1)

Schunn,

El Shafie,

Kronsteiner

et al. 2023

Strahlenther Onkol

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Mobile health (mhealth) is gaining interest, with mobile devices and apps being ever more available among medical facilities and patients. However, in the field of radiation oncology, the medical benefits of mhealth apps are still underexplored. As an additional approach to patient care during radiotherapy, we designed a mobile treatment surveillance app based on patient-reported outcomes. Objective We aimed to examine the feasibility of app-based treatment surveillance in patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT). Alongside technical practicability and acceptance, we assessed patient satisfaction and quality of life during treatment. Methods This prospective single-center study was performed at Heidelberg University Hospital between August 2018 and January 2020. During RT we measured patients’ quality of life, symptoms, and treatment satisfaction. Respective questionnaires (EORTC QLQ-C30 with diagnosis-specific modules, RAND PSQ-18) were presented to patients via a mobile app running on a designated tablet device. The primary endpoint was determined by the fraction of patients who completed at least 80% of the items. Secondary endpoints were disease-related quality of life and patient satisfaction. Results A total of 49 cancer patients (14 breast, 13 pelvic, 12 lung, 10 prostate) were eligible for analysis. 79.6% (95% confidence interval: 66.4–88.5%; n = 39) of all patients completed at least 80% of the items received by the mobile app. A mean of 227.5 ± 48.25 questions were answered per patient. Breast cancer patients showed the highest rate of answered questions, with 92.9% (n = 13) completing at least 80% of the items. Conclusion Patients showed high acceptance, with 79.6% (n = 39) completing at least 80% of the given items. The use of a mobile app for reporting symptoms and quality of life during RT is feasible and well accepted by patients. It may allow for resource-efficient, detailed feedback to the medical staff and assist in the assessment of side effects over time.

show abstract

Mobile applications in radiation oncology—current choices and future potentials

Cited by 6 publications

References 58 publications

Survey in radiation oncology departments in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland: state of digitalization by 2023

Survey in radiation oncology departments in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland: state of digitalization by 2023

Smart hospital: achieving interoperability and raw data collection from medical devices in clinical routine

Oncologic treatment support via a dedicated mobile app: a prospective feasibility evaluation (OPTIMISE-1)

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About