Eva Oldenburger1, Jin Ye Yeo2
1Department of Radiation Oncology and Department of Palliative Care, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; 2APM Editorial Office, AME Publishing Company
Correspondence to: Jin Ye Yeo. APM Editorial Office, AME Publishing Company. Email: apm@amepc.org.
This interview can be cited as: Oldenburger E, Yeo JY. Meeting the Editorial Board Member of APM: Dr. Eva Oldenburger. Ann Palliat Med. 2025. Available from: https://apm.amegroups.org/post/view/meeting-the-editorial-board-member-of-apm-dr-eva-oldenburger.
Expert introduction
Dr. Eva Oldenburger (Figure 1) is deputy head of the clinic of the Department of Radiation Oncology and Department of Palliative Care of University Hospitals Leuven. She specializes in gynecological oncology, brachytherapy and palliative radiotherapy as well as palliative care and symptom management.
She holds a PhD focused on the implementation and use of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) in the follow-up and symptom management of patients receiving palliative radiotherapy.
Figure 1 Dr. Eva Oldenburger
Interview
APM: Your expertise spans both radiation oncology and palliative care. What initially drew you to these areas, and how do they complement each other in your clinical practice?
Dr. Oldenburger: When it came time to choosing a specialty, I was not sure which path to take at first. My father (a now retired radiation oncologist) suggested radiation oncology, as he thought I would enjoy the combination of patient interaction and technical skills.
During my residency, I realized that a significant portion of the patients receiving radiation treatment had advanced or metastatic cancer. Many of them had questions and concerns beyond their medical treatment, often related to holistic aspects of care. This sparked my interest in palliative and supportive care. After my residency in radiation oncology, I further educated myself in palliative care. These specialties complement each other in the way that I am able to combine my knowledge of radiation oncology with my passion for providing comprehensive, patient-centered care.
APM: Your PhD research focused on the implementation of electronic patient-reported outcome measures (ePROM) for symptom follow-up after palliative radiotherapy. Can you explain the importance of ePROM in the context of cancer treatment and how it impacts patient care and outcomes?
Dr. Oldenburger: The value of ePROMs has primarily been demonstrated in the context of systemic treatments. By capturing patients' firsthand accounts of their symptoms, treatment side effects, and overall well-being, ePROMs provide critical insights that enable healthcare providers to tailor treatments more effectively and address issues in a timely manner. This approach not only enhances the quality of care but has also been shown to improve patients' quality of life, contribute to better clinical outcomes, and even extend survival. My PhD focused on the implementation of ePROMs for symptom follow-up after palliative radiotherapy, with a particular emphasis on acceptability and user experiences. Hopefully, we can introduce an overarching ePROM care model for all patients in the future, integrating radiotherapy-related toxicity in follow-up schemes.
APM: How do you see the future of digital tools and technologies, such as ePROM, transforming the way we manage cancer treatment and follow-up care?
Dr. Oldenburger: With the number of cancer patients on the rise in an increasingly technological world, I believe there are several key reasons for the growing use of digital tools in healthcare. First, they will make sure that patient care remains feasible and accessible. Secondly, I suspect that the younger generation will increasingly expect and prefer the use of apps and digital platforms. Thirdly, I am a firm believer that when there is no specific need for patients to come to the hospital, we should prioritize home-based care and focus our attention on those who truly require in-person visits. However, it is important to acknowledge that not all patients will be able or willing to use digital tools, so telephone-based and face-to-face follow-ups should remain available for those who need or prefer them.
APM: What motivates you to continue conducting research in the field of cancer care, and how do you stay focused on your ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes?
Dr. Oldenburger: I am motivated to continue conducting research in cancer care because I can directly see the impact of my findings on patient outcomes in my day-to-day practice. Additionally, collaborating with other experts has not only expanded my knowledge but also sparked new research ideas. These interactions provide me with continuous opportunities to learn and grow, both as a clinician and as a researcher, further enhancing my ability to contribute to the field.
APM: How has your experience been as an Editorial Board Member of APM?
Dr. Oldenburger: It has been a highly rewarding experience. On one hand, it has given me the opportunity to collaborate with a talented team; on the other hand, being involved in the peer-review process has allowed me to stay updated on the latest research and provide valuable feedback to authors. I am proud to be part of a journal that advances palliative care and supports evidence-based practices.
APM: As an Editorial Board Member of APM, what are your aspirations for yourself and the journal?
Dr. Oldenburger: As an Editorial Board Member of APM, my aspirations are to continue supporting the journal's mission of advancing high-quality, evidence-based research in palliative care. This year, I am particularly excited to serve as Guest Editor for a special holistic palliative care series, alongside Prof. Em. Johan Menten, hoping to bring some interesting research to the readers of this journal.