Measuring quality in oncology: challenges and opportunities.

Variations in the quality of cancer care are well documented. A key element of quality monitoring is standardized measures of care. Quality measures may include both process measures and outcome measures. Process measurement is only one aspect of assessing the quality of cancer care; measuring outcomes and providing the appropriate structure for care are also important. A variety of stakeholders, including professional oncology organizations and public and private payors, have developed programs and quality measures to address variations in the delivery of cancer care. To fulfill the current need to explore and discuss how quality is measured in oncology care, NCCN convened the NCCN Oncology Policy Summit: Measuring Quality in Oncology - Challenges and Opportunities. The summit was a forum to discuss current efforts to use quality measures, the value of quality measures, and patient and caretaker perspectives on quality.