Use of comparative data for integrated cancer services
Dawn L Wilkinson1, Mark McCarthy
1Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, UK. d.wilkinson@ucl.ac.uk
BMC Health Services Research
|December 19, 2007
Summary
Comparative data for integrated cancer services are underused in England. Cancer network teams desire more relevant, quality-assured data but require better resources for effective data utilization in decision-making.
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Oncology Management
- Health Informatics
Background:
- Established in 2001, 34 English cancer networks coordinate services across providers for large populations.
- Investigated the utilization of national and regional routine data by cancer network management teams.
- Comparative data are crucial for effective integrated care management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the current use of national and regional routine data by English cancer network management teams.
- To understand barriers and facilitators to data utilization in cancer network decision-making.
- To gauge receptivity to a new collated dataset of comparative cancer service data.
Main Methods:
- Conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with 68 participants across 29 cancer network teams.
- Employed both quantitative and qualitative analysis of interview responses.
- Utilized a standardized questionnaire to ensure consistency in data collection.
Main Results:
- Data use was predominantly ad hoc, not regularly influencing network decisions compared to other information sources.
- Information strategies prioritized data collection over data utilization, with mixed perceptions of data usefulness.
- Concerns regarding data quality, relevance, and potential misuse were prevalent, though participants were open to a new comparative dataset.
Conclusions:
- Comparative data are underutilized in managing integrated cancer services within English networks.
- Managers expressed a need for more relevant, quality-assured, and contextualized comparative data.
- Enhanced resources and improved data governance are essential for effective data use in cancer network management.
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