TITLE:
Experience of a Videoconference System with Medical Information Desktop Sharing for Radiation Therapy and Evaluation of Its Usefulness
AUTHORS:
Shohei Kawashiro, Yasuhito Hagiwara, Ibuki Ota, Mayumi Ichikawa, Misako Miwa, Yuuki Kuroda, Kenji Nemoto
KEYWORDS:
Radiation Therapy; Shortage of Radiation Oncologists; Videoconference; Desktop Sharing; Telemedicine
JOURNAL NAME:
International Journal of Medical Physics, Clinical Engineering and Radiation Oncology,
Vol.3 No.1,
January
27,
2014
ABSTRACT: Purpose: To
present our videoconference system with medical information desktop sharing for
radiation therapy and report initial experience using the system and its
usefulness. Materials and Methods: A videoconference system for radiation
therapy enables radiation oncologists sent to affiliated hospitals to consult a
more experienced board-certified doctor at our institution while sharing the
same display showing a patient’s information, radiology information system
(RIS), and radiation therapy planning (RTP) system. We evaluated cases
discussed in videoconferences to determine the influence of the system on
treatment policies and radiation therapy plans. Results: From December 2012 to
March 2013, treatment policies for 56 cases and radiation therapy plans for 50
cases were discussed in videoconferences. As for treatment policies, no change
was made in treatment policy for 33 cases (59%), and minor and major changes
were made for 16 (29%) cases and 7 (12%) cases, respectively. Radiation therapy
plans for 50 cases were checked. No change was needed for 32 cases (64%), and
minor and major changes were needed for 17 (34%) cases and 1 (2%) case,
respectively. Conclusion: The videoconference system can be effective for
improving the quality of radiation therapy.