In the Rapid Advancements in Oncology Treatments, How Can Healthcare IT Support Clinicians? (Elekta)

 

The field of oncology treatments is advancing very fast with innovative therapies and approaches on the market every day. It can get very tricky to support these therapies from an IT perspective.

In this episode, Anish Patankar, SVP and GM of Elekta’s Oncology Software Solutions, discusses:

  • How to go about the US hospital market, 

  • Development in software for oncology treatments,

  • Challenges in scaling healthcare IT software across markets. 

Show notes:

[00:00:00] Introduction to Elekta:

  • Overview of Elekta's broad footprint in oncology, including radiation equipment and oncology medication prescribing software.

  • Discussion on the development of the oncology field from Elekta's perspective.

[00:02:00] Elekta's Global Presence:

  • Elekta's global reach, operating directly or through distributors in nearly every country.

  • Elekta's leadership in traditional radiation therapy and neurosurgery with products like the Gamma Knife and brachytherapy devices.

  • The role of Elekta's software in powering radiation therapy devices and serving as a medical oncology EMR.

[00:04:00] US Market Focus:

  • Comparison of healthcare IT support and market access in different regions, specifically the US and UK.

  • The challenge of entering and integrating into the saturated US market.

  • Discussion on the diversity of the US healthcare IT market, including academic hospitals, integrated delivery networks, and freestanding clinics.

[00:06:00] Growth in Developing Countries:

  • Significant growth in China, India, Indonesia, and the role of public and private sectors in oncology.

  • Differences in healthcare delivery between the US and socialized systems like the UK's NHS.

[00:08:00] Segmentation and Technology Adoption in the US:

  • The importance of understanding market segmentation in the US for new entrants.

  • Elekta's strategies in serving different segments of the US market.

[00:10:00] Untapped Needs and Opportunities in the US:

  • Addressing clinician burnout and productivity.

  • Leveraging AI to balance personalized patient care with clinical efficiency.

[00:12:00] Elekta's Use of AI:

  • Incorporation of AI in Elekta's products for treatment planning and patient engagement.

  • The potential of generative AI to improve medical literature harvesting and clinical pathway recommendations.

[00:14:00] Patient Feedback and Clinical Decision Making:

  • The impact of patient-reported outcomes on treatment.

  • Ele

kta's patient companion app and its role in managing patient symptoms and treatment cycles.

[00:16:00] Integration of Patient Data:

  • How patient feedback is integrated into the oncology information system for real-time clinical decision-making.

  • The importance of integrating patient data into the systems that clinicians use daily.

[00:18:00] Navigating Legacy Software in Healthcare IT:

  • The challenge of updating or changing legacy healthcare software.

  • Elekta's approach to modernizing healthcare IT through cloud technologies and improved user experience.

[00:20:00] Modernization and Customer Satisfaction:

  • Strategies for legacy healthcare IT vendors to deliver innovation faster.

  • Elekta's approach to tackling modernization issues and technology adoption.

[00:22:00] Global Standardization and Regulation Challenges:

  • The difficulty in standardizing products for a global market amidst diverse regulations.

  • Elekta's experience with e-prescribing and interoperability regulations across different countries.

[00:24:00] Interoperability and Open Ecosystem:

  • Elekta's commitment to open interoperability and support for an open ecosystem.

  • The complexity of connecting to numerous healthcare IT systems and the importance of non-proprietary integrations.

[00:26:00] Future of Oncology Market Development:

  • The increasing prevalence of cancer and the advancement of treatments.

  • Expectations for the convergence of therapies, like the interplay between medications and radiation, and the potential of theranostics.

[00:28:00] Exciting Technologies in Healthcare Beyond Oncology:

  • The concept of a "digital twin" and the capability to predict treatment outcomes.

  • The merging of scientific advancements with computing power for personalized healthcare.

[00:30:00] Cautions for the Future:

  • The importance of cautious advancement in healthcare technologies.

  • The critical debate on the balance between innovation speed and safety, particularly with generative AI.


 
DataTjasa Zajconcology, software, healthcare IT, ElektaComment