Bridging Innovation and Outreach to Overcome Global Gaps in Radiation Oncology Through Information and Communication Tools, Trainee Advancement, Engaging Industry, Attention to Ethical Challenges, and Political Advocacy

Luqman Dad; Trevor J Royce; Zachary Morris; Meena Moran; Todd Pawlicki; Deepak Khuntia; Patricia Hardenbergh; Bernard Cummings; Nina Mayr; Kenneth Hu

doi:10.1016/j.semradonc.2016.11.002

Bridging Innovation and Outreach to Overcome Global Gaps in Radiation Oncology Through Information and Communication Tools, Trainee Advancement, Engaging Industry, Attention to Ethical Challenges, and Political Advocacy

Semin Radiat Oncol. 2017 Apr;27(2):98-108. doi: 10.1016/j.semradonc.2016.11.002. Epub 2016 Nov 9.

Authors

Luqman Dad¹, Trevor J Royce², Zachary Morris³, Meena Moran⁴, Todd Pawlicki⁵, Deepak Khuntia⁶, Patricia Hardenbergh⁷, Bernard Cummings⁸, Nina Mayr⁹, Kenneth Hu¹⁰

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiation Oncology, DeCesaris Cancer Institute, Anne Arundel Medical Center, Annapolis, MD.
² Department of Radiation Oncology, Harvard Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA.
³ Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI.
⁴ Department of Radiation Oncology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT.
⁵ Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA.
⁶ Department of Radiation Oncology, Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Radiation Oncology, Valley Medical Oncology Consultants, San Francisco Bay Area, CA.
⁷ Department of Radiation Oncology, Shaw Regional Cancer Center, Edwards, CO.
⁸ Department of Radiation Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Canada.
⁹ Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
¹⁰ Department of Radiation Oncology, Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY. Electronic address: Kenneth.hu@nyumc.org.

PMID: 28325248
DOI: 10.1016/j.semradonc.2016.11.002

Abstract

An evolving paradigm in global outreach in radiation oncology has been the implementation of a more region-specific, needs-based approach to help close the gap in radiation services to low- and middle-income countries through the use of innovative tools in information and communication technology. This report highlights 4 information and communication technology tools in action today: (1) the NCCN Framework for Resource Stratification of NCCN guidelines, (2) ASTRO e-Contouring, (3) i.treatsafely.org, and (4) ChartRounds.com. We also render special consideration to matters related to global outreach that we believe require distinct attention to help us meet the goals established by the 2011 United Nations׳ Declaration on noncommunicable diseases: (1) trainee advancement toward careers in global health, (2) ethical challenges of international outreach, (3) critical importance of political advocacy, and (4) collaboration with Industry.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Attention
Communication*
Developing Countries
Diffusion of Innovation*
Humans
Information Dissemination*
Politics
Radiation Oncology* / education
Radiation Oncology* / ethics