The need for IT specialists in radiation oncology - A position paper by the International Society for radiation oncology Informatics, endorsed by DGMP, SASRO, ÖGRO, ÖGMP, SRO and DEGRO.

Purpose
This position paper, developed by the International Society for Radiation Oncology Informatics (ISROI) and endorsed by multiple professional societies, highlights the essential role of IT specialists in modern radiation oncology (RO). As digitalization becomes increasingly vital for enhancing patient care specialized IT professionals are needed within RO departments to support the complex systems.Methodology
This paper was built as a consensus statement developed by an interdisciplinary working group initiated by ISROI. The group comprised medical physicists, radiation oncologists, radiation therapists, and data scientists from various RO institutes. Data was gathered through a questionnaire, and recommendations were refined through regular meetings.Key Findings And Statements
Medical Informatics Specialist: As a technical and data-driven discipline, RO requires a well-functioning IT infrastructure. To support and further develop it, medical informatics specialists (MIS) are needed who have extensive training in medical informatics and are familiar with the peculiar requirements of RO and hospital-specific software. Responsibilities: Core responsibilities of MIS in RO include IT infrastructure management, RO system administration, workflow optimization, data protection, programming, and automation. MIS must work closely with radiation oncologists, medical physicists, and hospital IT teams to ensure seamless operations. Training and Skill Requirements: MIS require expertise in IT system administration, infrastructure management, clinical workflow management, data analysis, user support, and healthcare-specific regulations and standards. Organizational and Structural Recommendations: Staffing requirements should be based on patient volume and facility size, with at least one full-time MIS recommended per clinic. MIS can be integrated into the RO department in various ways. Regardless of the structure, MIS must be readily available to the clinic and actively participate in interdisciplinary collaboration. To ensure efficiency and avoid overlaps, clear definition of responsibilities between MIS and other professional groups is necessary. Additionally, MIS should receive fair, qualification-based remuneration, comparable to that of other technical professionals in RO, such as medical physicists and radiation therapists.Conclusion And Outlook
The increasing complexity of digital systems in radiation oncology makes dedicated IT specialists indispensable. Their expertise enhances operational efficiency, improves patient safety, and drives innovation. ISROI and its collaborating societies strongly advocate for clinics to invest in IT professionals to fully harness the benefits of digitalization in radiation therapy. Future steps to achieve this goal include developing a specialized curriculum for MIS and fostering broader discussions.