Publication

Achieving Thoracic Oncology data collection in Europe: a precursor study in 35 Countries

Journal Paper/Review - Nov 20, 2018

Units
PubMed
Doi

Citation
Blum T, Nanushi M, Morgan R, Moldvay J, Milroy R, Mehic B, Makitaro R, Laisaar T, Konsoulova A, Paesmans M, Putora P, Van Schil P, Strand T, Sotto-Mayor R, Skrickova J, Sculier J, Schlesser M, Scherpereel A, Samarzija M, Kavcova E, Jovanovic D, Jonsson S, Cufer T, Corlateanu A, Burghuber O, Brincat S, Berghmans T, Beckett P, Alfageme I, Baldwin D, Damhuis R, Danila E, Jakobsen E, Huber R, Hillerdal G, Grigoriu B, Goksel T, Gaga M, Elia S, Domagala-Kulawik J, Rich A. Achieving Thoracic Oncology data collection in Europe: a precursor study in 35 Countries. BMC cancer 2018; 18:1144.
Type
Journal Paper/Review (English)
Journal
BMC cancer 2018; 18
Publication Date
Nov 20, 2018
Issn Electronic
1471-2407
Pages
1144
Brief description/objective

BACKGROUND
A minority of European countries have participated in international comparisons with high level data on lung cancer. However, the nature and extent of data collection across the continent is simply unknown, and without accurate data collection it is not possible to compare practice and set benchmarks to which lung cancer services can aspire.

METHODS
Using an established network of lung cancer specialists in 37 European countries, a survey was distributed in December 2014. The results relate to current practice in each country at the time, early 2015. The results were compiled and then verified with co-authors over the following months.

RESULTS
Thirty-five completed surveys were received which describe a range of current practice for lung cancer data collection. Thirty countries have data collection at the national level, but this is not so in Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Italy, Spain and Switzerland. Data collection varied from paper records with no survival analysis, to well-established electronic databases with links to census data and survival analyses.

CONCLUSION
Using a network of committed clinicians, we have gathered validated comparative data reporting an observed difference in data collection mechanisms across Europe. We have identified the need to develop a well-designed dataset, whilst acknowledging what is feasible within each country, and aspiring to collect high quality data for clinical research.