TY - JOUR
T1 - A systematic literature review of definitions and classification systems for radiotherapy innovation
T2 - A first step towards building a value-based assessment tool for radiation oncology
AU - Vandemaele, Miet
AU - Aznar, Marianne
AU - Blanchard, Pierre
AU - Borras, Josep M.
AU - Leech, Michelle
AU - Aggarwal, Ajay
AU - Lievens, Yolande
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Author(s)
PY - 2023/6/1
Y1 - 2023/6/1
N2 - Introduction: Timely access to radiotherapy innovations remains suboptimal, partly because there is no commonly agreed appraisal system suitable for the broad range of radiotherapy interventions. The Health Economics in Radiation Oncology (HERO) programme of ESTRO therefore engaged in building a radiotherapy-specific value-based framework. We report on a first step towards that aim, documenting the available definitions and classification systems for radiotherapy interventions. Methods: A systematic literature search was carried out in Pubmed and Embase, following PRISMA methodology and using search terms on ‘innovation’, ‘radiotherapy’, ‘definition’ and ‘classification’. Data were extracted from articles that met prespecified inclusion criteria. Results: Out of 13,353 articles, 25 met the inclusion criteria, resulting in the identification of 7 definitions of innovation and 15 classification systems applicable to radiation oncology. Iterative appraisal divided the classification systems into two groups. A first group of 11 systems categorized innovations according to the perceived magnitude of innovation, typically ‘minor’ versus ‘major’. The remaining 4 systems categorised innovations according to radiotherapy-specific characteristics, such as the type of radiation equipment or radiobiological properties. Here, commonly used terms as ‘technique’ or ‘treatment’ were found to be used in different meanings. Discussion: There is no widely accepted definition or classification system for radiotherapy innovations. The data however suggest that unique properties of radiotherapy interventions can be used to categorise innovations in radiation oncology. Still, there remains a need for clear terminology denoting radiotherapy-specific characteristics. Conclusion: Building on this review, the ESTRO-HERO project will define what is required for a radiotherapy-specific value-based assessment tool.
AB - Introduction: Timely access to radiotherapy innovations remains suboptimal, partly because there is no commonly agreed appraisal system suitable for the broad range of radiotherapy interventions. The Health Economics in Radiation Oncology (HERO) programme of ESTRO therefore engaged in building a radiotherapy-specific value-based framework. We report on a first step towards that aim, documenting the available definitions and classification systems for radiotherapy interventions. Methods: A systematic literature search was carried out in Pubmed and Embase, following PRISMA methodology and using search terms on ‘innovation’, ‘radiotherapy’, ‘definition’ and ‘classification’. Data were extracted from articles that met prespecified inclusion criteria. Results: Out of 13,353 articles, 25 met the inclusion criteria, resulting in the identification of 7 definitions of innovation and 15 classification systems applicable to radiation oncology. Iterative appraisal divided the classification systems into two groups. A first group of 11 systems categorized innovations according to the perceived magnitude of innovation, typically ‘minor’ versus ‘major’. The remaining 4 systems categorised innovations according to radiotherapy-specific characteristics, such as the type of radiation equipment or radiobiological properties. Here, commonly used terms as ‘technique’ or ‘treatment’ were found to be used in different meanings. Discussion: There is no widely accepted definition or classification system for radiotherapy innovations. The data however suggest that unique properties of radiotherapy interventions can be used to categorise innovations in radiation oncology. Still, there remains a need for clear terminology denoting radiotherapy-specific characteristics. Conclusion: Building on this review, the ESTRO-HERO project will define what is required for a radiotherapy-specific value-based assessment tool.
KW - Classification
KW - Definition
KW - Innovation
KW - Radiation Oncology
KW - Radiotherapy
KW - Value-Based Health Care
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85150813770&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.radonc.2023.109602
DO - 10.1016/j.radonc.2023.109602
M3 - Article
C2 - 36889594
AN - SCOPUS:85150813770
SN - 0167-8140
VL - 183
JO - Radiotherapy and Oncology
JF - Radiotherapy and Oncology
M1 - 109602
ER -