Mobilize The Canadians! A Workflow Episode

Send us Fan MailSim orders, documentation, prior auth, oh my! Is it death by 1000 clicks? The Accelerators Podcast (Drs. Anna Laucis, Simul Parikh, and Matt Spraker) host their first industry experts for an intimate discussion on the radiotherapy workflow: David Lindsey (CEO, Oncora Medical and graduating MD/PhD student), Sasa Mutic (SVP, Varian Medical Systems), Jacob Philip (CEO, Medlever), and Nathan Wolfe (CEO, Remote Dosimetrist). We discuss current challenges such as interdisciplinary communication among dispersed teams, how EMRs are really designed for billing, and how artificial intelligence and automation could close the technology gap between centers in US #RadOnc and around the world. Then, we discuss how increasing availability of high speed internet, the COVID19 pandemic, and culture change drove the rise of remote dosimetry and other remote work. This leads to a more broad discussion of resource allocation and Varian's effort to reduce treatment start time from an average of 2 weeks to 2 hours. We also discuss a new challenge, the increasing need for radiotherapy re-treatment. In a short after-show, we discuss the "Cheesecake Factory" model of medicine. Will these workflow improvements help small clinics push back against growing hub-and-spoke networks? Note: The opinions expressed on this episode do not reflect the opinions of the host's or guest's employers. The guests volunteered their time to participate in the show and their participation on The Accelerators Podcast is not an endorsement of their products. If you saw Simul driving a lambo shortly after this show, it is simply a coincidence. Unfortunately, nobody made any money on this show. Custom show art generously donated by Dr. Danielle Cunningham.