Dataset Information

Innovative radiation oncology Together - Precise, Personalized, Human : Vision 2030 for radiotherapy & radiation oncology in Germany.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Scientific and clinical achievements in radiation, medical, and surgical oncology are changing the landscape of interdisciplinary oncology. The German Society for Radiation Oncology (DEGRO) working group of young clinicians and scientists (yDEGRO) and the DEGRO representation of associate and full professors (AKRO) are aware of the essential role of radiation oncology in multidisciplinary treatment approaches. Together, yDEGRO and AKRO endorsed developing a German radiotherapy & radiation oncology vision 2030 to address future challenges in patient care, research, and education. The vision 2030 aims to identify priorities and goals for the next decade in the field of radiation oncology.

Methods

The vision development comprised three phases. During the first phase, areas of interest, objectives, and the process of vision development were defined jointly by the yDEGRO, AKRO, and the DEGRO board. In the second phase, a one-day strategy retreat was held to develop AKRO and yDEGRO representatives' final vision from medicine, biology, and physics. The third phase was dedicated to vision interpretation and program development by yDEGRO representatives.

Results

The strategy retreat's development process resulted in conception of the final vision "Innovative radiation oncology Together - Precise, Personalized, Human." The first term "Innovative radiation oncology" comprises the promotion of preclinical research and clinical trials and highlights the development of a national committee for strategic development in radiation oncology research. The term "together" underpins collaborations within radiation oncology departments as well as with other partners in the clinical and scientific setting. "Precise" mainly covers technological precision in radiotherapy as well as targeted oncologic therapeutics. "Personalized" emphasizes biology-directed individualization of radiation treatment. Finally, "Human" underlines the patient-centered approach and points towards the need for individual longer-term career curricula for clinicians and researchers in the field.

Conclusion

The vision 2030 balances the ambition of physical, technological, and biological innovation as well as a comprehensive, patient-centered, and collaborative approach towards radiotherapy & radiation oncology in Germany.

SUBMITTER: Krug D

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8604860 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundApproximately half of all patients with tumors need radiotherapy. Long-term survivors may suffer from late sequelae of the treatment. The existing radiotherapeutic techniques are being refined so that radiation can be applied more precisely, with the goal of limiting the radiation exposure of normal tissue and reducing late sequelae.MethodsThis review is based on the findings of a selective search in PubMed for publications on late sequelae of conventional percutaneous radiotherapy, January 2000 to May 2020. Late sequelae affecting the central nervous system, lungs, and heart and the development of second tumors are presented, and radiobiological mechanisms and the relevant technical and conceptual considerations are discussed.ResultsThe current standard of treatment involves the use of linear accelerators, intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), image-guided and respiratory-gated radiotherapy, and the integration of positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET-CT) in radiation treatment planning. Cardiotoxicity has been reduced with regard to the risk of coronary heart disease after radiotherapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma (hazard ratio [HR] 0.44 [0.23; 0.85]). It was also found that the rate of radiation- induced pneumonitis dropped from 7.9% with conformal treatment to 3.5% with IMRT in a phase III lung cancer trial. It is hoped that neurocognitive functional impairment will be reduced by hippocampal avoidance in modern treatment planning: an initial phase III trial yielded a hazard ratio of 0.74 [0.58; 0.94]. It is estimated that 8% of second solid tumors in adults are induced by radiotherapy (3 additional tumors per 1000 patients at 10 years).ConclusionSpecial challenges for research in this field arise from the long latency of radiation sequelae and the need for largescale, well-documented patient collectives in order to discern dose-effect relationships, and take account of cofactors, when the overall number of events is small. It is hoped that further technical and conceptual advances will be made in the areas of adaptive radiotherapy, proton and heavy-ion therapy, and personalized therapy.

Project description:Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 has taken a centre stage in the development of its healthcare sector through privatization adopting Public Private Partnerships (PPPs). The objective of this study is to provide an overview of healthcare transformation in Saudi Arabia since the launch of the ambitious Vision 2030, identifying issues those need to be addressed and steps taken towards provision of health systems transformation. Literature review was based on extensive review of published and unpublished articles, where different search engines and databases searched using the key words: ‘Saudi Healthcare’, ‘Healthcare transformation’, ‘Saudi vision: 2030’, ‘Public-Private Partnerships’ and ‘Privatization’, in addition to secondary data as published in government reports, policy, government strategy documents and pertinent press releases. The future of the healthcare like many other developing economies continues to weigh policies for universal coverage while containing costs and the national transformation programme driven by social and economic factors has implemented strategic steps to develop its private healthcare system that includes: establishing health clusters, National Centre for Privatization & PPP – an official enabler for privatization of all government sectors and recently approved Private Sector Participation (PSP) Law involves several legislative enablers designed to enhance investor confidence in the privatization process. Although this study demonstrates systemic legislative progress to facilitate transformation process of healthcare sector, also endorses caution and research in identifying barriers to the implementation of PPPs, Saudi workforce development, implementing effective revenue cycle management function for healthcare reimbursement and ensuring vulnerable population access to good quality and tertiary healthcare. As healthcare of Saudi Arabia embarks on the transformation journey facing daunting challenges, but it appears that the government has laid out a roadmap with the legislative framework; however it is important that there is ongoing monitoring with adjustments as this complex and multifaceted process proceeds.