Tools for providing information to patients about high-tech medical resources for treatment of cancer
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: High-tech medical resources play an increasingly important role in cancer diagnosis and treatment. However, accessing information about these technologies remains challenging due to their complexity and a lack of clear information pathways to obtain reliable information. This, in turn, contributes to inequalities in healthcare. Patient/material and methods: The Joint Action Network of Expertise on Cancer (JANE-2) is one of the largest networks under Europe's Beating Cancer Plan. In JANE-2, the work package on High-Tech Medical Resources comprises seven domains of rapidly evolving technologies, namely Nuclear Medicine, Radiomics, Innovative Radiotherapy, Innovative Surgery, Physical Methods of Ablation, Cell Therapies, and Ex-vivo Testing of Agents. Leaders from these domains, together with patient representatives, have authored a review of the challenges of providing patients with information about high-tech medical resources, and have proposed potential solutions. RESULTS: This article describes the challenges associated with providing adequate information to patients, the resulting consequences, and potential solutions. The article also specifically describes technologies related to the seven high-tech domains that are central to cancer treatment. Patient information tools related to these technologies are provided as supplementary material to the article. INTERPRETATION: Cancer diagnosis and treatment are not only becoming increasingly effective but also more complex with the adoption of novel technologies. This article discusses the challenges and potential solutions related to the availability of patient information and provides examples of patient information tools for seven key and rapidly advancing technologies.
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Authors: Julie Gehl, Tatiana Michel, Erik Rokkones, Soleakhena Ken, Gregor Serša, Irene Torres-Espallardo, Ester M. Orlandi, Laura Ridolfi, Nina Schmidt, Ingrid Kruecken, Barbara Leonardi, Margareta Haag, Aurélie Garcin, Anne‐Laure Giraudet, Sandrine Lavallé, Colin Patrick Cantwell, Alexander Jorge Cortez, Chiara Marazzi, Roger Olofsson Bagge, Massimiliano Petrini, Francesca Bonifazi, Vincent Bourbonne, Frédéric Courbon, Ibrahim Edhemović, Lisa Francesca Licitra, Sergio Roman‐Roman, Jean‐Yves Blay
Institutions: The Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Inserm, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, University of Gothenburg, Institut Curie, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Oslo University Hospital, Region Västra Götaland, Zealand University Hospital, National Institute of Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, St. Vincent's University Hospital, National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy, Luxembourg Institute of Health, IRCCS Azienda Ospedliero-Universitaria di Bologna Policlinico di Sant'Orsola, Institut universitaire du cancer de Toulouse Oncopole, Centre Léon Bérard, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Institut Claudius Regaud, Europa Donna