Original Title: Télémédecine et radio-oncologie État des connaissances

Authors' results and conclusions: Radiation therapy is a therapeutic modality that uses ionizing radiation to treat cancer or improve its symptoms. With surgery and chemotherapy, it is part of the standard therapeutic approach for treating cancer. It is delivered through sophisticated technological infrastructures and by specialized human resources working together in multidisciplinary teams. The literature consulted on radiation therapy revealed two major findings: (1) cancer incidence is increasing in the industrialized world, including Canada and Québec; and (2) oncology centres are generally concentrated in large cities, while treatment needs are geographically dispersed. This situation leads to suboptimal radiotherapy service delivery. The literature scarcely addressed the medicolegal liability issues raised by remote treatment planning and simulation and the economic issues surrounding this therapeutic modality. These issues will require further study. In conclusion, this literature review showed that the main application of telemedicine in radiation oncology is remote treatment planning. It can contribute to networking different centres and to decentralizing radiotherapy services by providing satellite centres with access to expertise not available on site. However, the success of this activity depends on implementing a stringent quality-assurance process.

Authors' methods: Review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: https://www.inesss.qc.ca/publications/repertoire-des-publications/publication/telemedecine-et-radio-oncologie-etat-des-connaissances.html

Year Published: 2009

URL for published report: https://www.inesss.qc.ca/publications/repertoire-des-publications/publication/telemedecine-et-radio-oncologie-etat-des-connaissances.html

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Other

Country: Canada

Province: Quebec

Organisation Name: Agence d'évaluation des technologies et des modes d'intervention en santé

Contact Address: 2021, avenue Union, Bureau 10.083,Montreal, Quebec H3A S29, Canada.Tel: +1 514 873 2563; Fax: +1 514 873 1369

Contact Name: demande@inesss.qc.ca

Contact Email: demande@inesss.qc.ca

Copyright: Agence d'Evaluation des Technologies et des Modes d'Intervention en Sante (AETMIS)