When you think about big data and the medical community, the first thing that likely comes to mind is how large companies and central government agencies are handling the financial side or how drug manufacturers are developing medications or vaccines that prevent the spread of an illness. However, small amounts of data collection make a significant difference for medical practices. Small data is something you can make actionable. The challenge for doctors is utilizing the small data they have to develop insights on improving oncology care and operations.
Why Is Data Collection Important in Oncology?
Data collection is essential in oncology because it reveals information about a clinic’s patient population. For instance, your practice could determine how many patients are being treated with particular cancer. This cancer data will also show disease stages for patients when they are initially diagnosed and treatment strategies. Collecting patient data to pinpoint issues and figure out ways to provide better care is essential.
What Kind of Actionable Insights Can Be Pulled from Cancer Patient Data?
With information collection, a practice will have access to clinical decision support. This means reviewing various treatment options and selecting the best one for your patient. It also means staying on top of recent clinical trials and locating patients who may be eligible for them.
Practice can also use oncology data to see how its care compares with national standards, evidence-based criteria, and approved clinical procedures.
When you tap into cancer patient data, you may gain access to actionable insights like narrowing down factors complicating access to treatments. You can also use data to ensure that your patients get the services and help they need during their treatment.
Data generation will help you assess the productivity of your staff, ensuring that the practice’s doctors are seeing the correct number of patients. You can also review your oncology practice’s revenue to check for coding, billing, or collections problems.
What are Some of the Barriers to Adopting Oncology Data Analytics?
Some primary barriers to adopting oncology data analytics include cost, scale, and skill. The problem with cost is that it’s often challenging for community-based oncology practices to validate spending money on information technology.
Regarding scale, practices require clinical and financial information that reaches past their walls. Your clinic must be able to compare its results with other practices with a similar patient number to learn whether your practice’s treatment decisions are effective. Your practice must know how to gather clinical and financial information and learn how to analyze the data and compare it.
How Will Data Collection Transform the Future of Value-Based Cancer Care?
Cancer data lets oncologists better gauge treatment results to decide if changes need to be made. This data can be used to text medication information to your patients or create oncology appointment reminders. Data generation may transform the future of value-based cancer care by reducing treatment costs and developing better diagnostics.
Why is it necessary to collect and report on cancer patients’ data?
Collecting and reporting on cancer patients’ data is essential to ensure that your patients receive quality cancer care. Collecting and sharing data allows researchers to compare cancer care and outcomes at different practices. It also allows you to set standards that work to improve the quality of value-based care.
How is data collected for a cancer registry?
Data collection methods include patient intake forms, surveys, and questions asked by registry staff members. Hospitals, radiology departments, doctors’ offices, outpatient clinics, surgical centers, labs, and other treatment facilities that diagnose or treat cancer patients must send data to a central registry.
Improving Cancer Patient Care with Oncology Data Management
Verdi Oncology is an oncology practice management company that offers clinical, technical, operational, and financial support for community-based oncology practices. We use data collection methods to grow your practice and help you provide personalized, value-based patient care. Contact us to learn more about joining our network to improve the future of cancer treatment for your patients and their families.