1. The power of empirical data; lessons from the clinical registry initiatives in Scandinavian cancer care
- Author
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Arvid Widenlou Nordmark, Bjørn Møller, Hartwig Kørner, Mats Lambe, Mef Nilbert, Michael Borre, Linda Aagaard Thomsen, Helena Brändström, Henrik Møller, Giske Ursin, and Jens Winther Jensen
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,Empirical data ,Scandinavian and Nordic Countries ,030218 nuclear medicine & medical imaging ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Neoplasms ,Epidemiology ,medicine ,Humans ,Quality monitoring ,Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and imaging ,Clinical registry ,Registries ,Sweden ,Norway ,business.industry ,Cancer ,Hematology ,General Medicine ,medicine.disease ,Oncology ,030220 oncology & carcinogenesis ,Family medicine ,Disease characteristics ,Registry data ,business - Abstract
Background In Scandinavia, there is a strong tradition for research and quality monitoring based on registry data. In Denmark, Norway and Sweden, 63 clinical registries collect data on disease characteristics, treatment and outcome of various cancer diagnoses and groups based on process-related and outcome-related variables. Aim We describe the cancer-related clinical registries, compare organizational structures and quality indicators and provide examples of how these registries have been used to monitor clinical performance, develop prediction models, assess outcome and provide quality benchmarks. Further, we define unmet needs such as inclusion of patient-reported outcome variables, harmonization of variables and barriers for data sharing. Results and conclusions The clinical registry framework provides an empirical basis for evidence-based development of high-quality and equitable cancer care. The registries can be used to follow implementation of new treatment principles and monitor patterns of care across geographical areas and patient groups. At the same time, the lessons learnt suggest that further developments and coordination are needed to utilize the full potential of the registry initiative in cancer care. publishedVersion
- Published
- 2020