Abstract
Introduction: Pediatric oncology care requires coordinated, multidisciplinary collaboration across diverse specialties and geographic locations. In Romania, challenges such as geographical barriers, limited resources, and the need for specialized care hinder the delivery of integrated care for children with cancer. The DARA platform was developed to address these issues, providing a secure digital space for real-time collaboration and continuous patient monitoring. By supporting diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up, DARA enables healthcare providers to make timely, informed decisions and improve patient outcomes.
Methodology: DARA integrates all relevant medical data into a comprehensive electronic health record, accessible to healthcare providers at different levels of care. It facilitates Tumor Board sessions for collaborative decision-making, second-opinion consultations from experts, and remote patient monitoring, bridging gaps between oncologists, local healthcare providers, and home care teams. Additionally, DARA incorporates standardized tools for assessing quality of life and therapy outcomes, ensuring compliance with global care protocols and interoperability with cancer registries.
Results: The platform’s implementation has significantly improved care coordination between local providers and pediatric oncology specialists, enabling more timely and informed treatment. Remote monitoring and home care services have expanded access to care in underserved regions, reducing the impact of geographic isolation. Standardized data collection has enhanced the ability to track treatment outcomes, manage side effects, and improve quality of life for patients.
Conclusion: DARA offers a scalable, resource-adapted solution for multidisciplinary pediatric oncology care, improving coordination, centralizing information, and providing continuous monitoring to optimize outcomes for children with cancer, particularly in resource-limited settings.