Purpose: Cancer in children and adolescents is rare and comprises a diverse spectrum of malignancies. There are few radiation oncologists across Australia and New Zealand who care for this patient population. Given this, the introduction of a formal setting to discuss paediatric radiation oncology cases was proposed by the RANZCR Paediatric Special Interest Group in order to share knowledge and expertise amongst these clinicians and ensure high quality patient care.

Methods and Materials: The arrangement of the meeting needed to utilise existing and available technology, accommodate attendees in four different time zones and allow for case discussion and review of radiation therapy treatment plans. Methods in other countries for achieving similar case conferencing were examined, including attendance at the Swedish Workgroup for Paediatric Radiotherapy videoconference.

Results: A regular fortnightly conference of the RANZCR Paediatric Special Interest Group was established in August 2013 and continues to run with members participating via video link, teleconference or Skype and dialling in to Westmead Hospital. Case notes and images are currently circulated to group members via email prior to the meeting and radiation therapy plans can be shown directly from treatment planning systems at some sites. Minutes are recorded and distributed via email.

Radiation oncologists, registrars and radiation therapists from eight sites have attended the teleconference. The meeting allows members to present cases for discussion, examine adverse outcomes, peer review treatment volumes and dose prescriptions and debate the merits of different treatment modalities - including referral of patients for proton therapy overseas Members also benefit from shared experience and the support of colleagues. As with other multidisciplinary meetings, the responsibility for patient care rests with the individual presenting clinician. The time per conference is 30-45 minutes.

Conclusion: The implementation of telemedicine to achieve a case conference group across multiple sites is feasible and allows for collaboration and the discussion of complex care in a unique patient cohort.