ESTRO 2025 - Abstract Book

S2266

Interdisciplinary – Health economics & health services research

ESTRO 2025

Material/Methods: The NEWG brought together a diverse mix of professionals from across Ireland, including Radiation Oncologists, Radiotherapy Medical Physicists, Radiation Therapists, and members of the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP). This collaborative partnership conducted an extensive literature review, gathered real-world experiences of AI tools recently introduced in Irish radiotherapy departments, and engaged in in-person and virtual discussions to understand the challenges and develop actionable recommendations. Results: The analysis revealed several key challenges to implementing AI in radiation oncology. These challenges included the necessity for ongoing human oversight, addressing ethical and regulatory concerns, ensuring smooth system integration, validating AI algorithms, and the need for comprehensive staff training and education. Based on these findings, the NEWG developed six key recommendations to guide the successful integration of AI in radiation oncology across Ireland. The first recommendation is the establishment of a dedicated multidisciplinary working group within the NCCP. The purpose of this group is to facilitate a collaborative, multidisciplinary and consistent implementation of AI in radiation oncology in Ireland. The other recommendations are as follows: • Incorporate consistent human oversight throughout AI processes • Develop a robust framework for seamless AI integration within existing radiotherapy systems • Prioritise ethical considerations in the use of AI technologies • Implement stringent quality assurance protocols • Promote comprehensive education and training programs for all healthcare staff involved in AI applications.

Conclusion: The integration of AI in healthcare, particularly in radiation oncology, presents both opportunities and challenges. The NEWG's recommendations for the NCCP are designed to leverage the transformative potential of AI through partnership and collaboration, linking relevant centres, academic institutions and organizing shared expertise. By fostering a multidisciplinary approach, these recommendations aim to ensure that AI adoption in radiation oncology is safe, effective and ethical, while also providing an optimal framework for evaluating the impact of AI at local and national levels.