The Ministry of Health will support the introduction of an innovative method for planning cancer treatment in Slovakia from the Recovery and Resilience Plan of Slovakia. The resort therefore launched a call for radiotherapy planning with artificial intelligence. This method can save time for specialists and increase the accuracy of the necessary radiation.
The Health Department has today launched a new call from the Recovery and Resilience Plan of Slovakia. The aim is to streamline the work of radiation oncologists and improve the quality of treatment. The call is addressed to general and specialised hospitals. In total, two million euros are allocated.
Oncologic diseases have long been the second most common cause of death in Slovakia. It is therefore necessary to reduce the time needed to plan radiotherapy and thus increase the effectiveness of the treatment process, explains Ján Krajči, Director-General of the Implementation Section of the Recovery and Resilience and Reform Plan.
One of the solutions to optimise the radiotherapy planning process is the introduction of automated contouring of organs with the support of artificial intelligence. Contouring organs is part of the preparation of the so-called radiation plan. In preparation, the patient undergoes a planning examination by means of a computer tomography (CT examination). Subsequently, in each CT scan, a radiation oncologist should perform contouring of the risk organs and clinical target volumes. One CT scan may contain tens to hundreds of images.
Contouring is often a third to half of a specialist's work load, which is very laborious and monotonous. However, studies make it clear that artificial intelligence is an effective support tool, especially for recurring tasks such as organ contouring undoubtedly is. Through the call, we want to reduce the time spent by the radiation oncologist by up to 50 percent contouring. This allows specialists to engage in a larger number of patients, John Krajči continues. While, according to his words, automated contouring also increases the accuracy of radiation, thus improving the treatment itself.
Institutional healthcare facilities meeting the necessary requirements may be involved in the call. Applications may be submitted by 30 September 2022 at the latest. Eligible expenditure shall be hardware and software supporting automated contouring of organs in the planning, installation, commissioning and service support process for five years.
All necessary information is published on the Ministry's website: www.health.gov.sk/?Plan-rehabilitation-and-resistance
