Safety on the Line Debate: No Custom Software for Clinical Care Vs Custom Software Is Essential to Innovate
Description
Custom software in the therapy context presents a serious question. Is it an essential component of operations and innovation or is it an accident waiting to happen? This session will tackle this question in a lively debate format. The questions explored here are crucial for safety, operations, and the skills and education of the present and future workforce. Despite the rapid evolution in technology in the field of therapy physics, many clinics in North America and around the world rely on custom software, from spreadsheets to calculate dose for total body irradiation plans to complex machine-learning software for contour QA, adaptive planning, and decision support tools. Spreadsheets are often used for Task Group 51 calibrations and radiation therapy practice would not be where it is today without the early pioneers who created 2.5 and 3D treatment planning systems. The Oxford-style debate will feature two leaders with expertise in the continuum in the cycle of developing and clinically releasing software for patient care. Live audience polling will be used to assess opinions before and after the debate and to gauge the areas of most concern when using in house software solutions. In addition, there will be a "Turn the tables" section for each opponent to argue the other side.