The Future of Safety and Quality in Radiation Oncology

Abstract

The increasing complexity of radiation therapy treatment presents new potentials for error and suboptimal care. High-performing programs thus not only require adherence to, but also ongoing improvement of, key safety and quality practices. In this article, we review these practices including standardization, risk analysis, peer review, and maintenance of strong safety culture, while also describing recent innovations and promising future directions. We specifically highlight the growing role of artificial intelligence in radiation oncology, both as a tool to deliver safe, high-quality care and as a potential new source of safety challenges.