Abbas Sheikhtaheri1, Azin Nahvijou2, Zahra Sedighi2, Maryam Hadji2, Mohammad Golmahi2, Gholamreza Roshandel3, Omid Beiki4, Zahra Ravankhah5, Kazem Zendehdel6. 1. Health Management and Economics Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran; Department of Health Information Management, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. 2. Cancer Research Center of Cancer Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. 3. Golestan Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Islamic Republic of Iran. 4. Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Islamic Republic of Iran; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. 5. CDC, Isfahan Province Health Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Islamic Republic of Iran. 6. Cancer Research Center of Cancer Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. Electronic address: kzendeh@tums.ac.ir.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Several methods have been suggested for evaluation of population-based cancer registries (PBCR) worldwide. However, most of these methods evaluate the data and outputs of the cancer registries. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive tool and protocol for evaluation of inputs, processes and outputs of a PBCR. METHODS: The standards of the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR) were used to draft a comprehensive checklist. In addition, the national guidelines of PBCR were used to develop a questionnaire for evaluation of knowledge and practice of the PBCR personnel. Furthermore, a protocol for evaluation of the completeness and validity of the PBCR data was developed according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the NAACCR guidelines. A 0-4 Likert based score and expert opinions (10 experts) were used to assess validity of the eight questionnaires/checklists. A modified Delphi method was applied to validate the checklists and questionnaires. Questions with a score higher than 3 remained in the final tools. RESULTS: The final package consists of 546 questions including 108 (19.8%) for evaluation of guidelines, 54 (9.9%) for analysis and reports, 87 (15.9%) for governance and infrastructure, 155 (28.4%) for information technology, 21 (3.8%) for personnel knowledge and 121 (22.2%) for their practice. Additionally, data quality indicators were also considered for evaluation of PBCRs. CONCLUSION: This comprehensive tool can be used to show the gaps and limitations of the PBCR programs and provide informative clues for their improvement.
OBJECTIVE: Several methods have been suggested for evaluation of population-based cancer registries (PBCR) worldwide. However, most of these methods evaluate the data and outputs of the cancer registries. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive tool and protocol for evaluation of inputs, processes and outputs of a PBCR. METHODS: The standards of the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR) were used to draft a comprehensive checklist. In addition, the national guidelines of PBCR were used to develop a questionnaire for evaluation of knowledge and practice of the PBCR personnel. Furthermore, a protocol for evaluation of the completeness and validity of the PBCR data was developed according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the NAACCR guidelines. A 0-4 Likert based score and expert opinions (10 experts) were used to assess validity of the eight questionnaires/checklists. A modified Delphi method was applied to validate the checklists and questionnaires. Questions with a score higher than 3 remained in the final tools. RESULTS: The final package consists of 546 questions including 108 (19.8%) for evaluation of guidelines, 54 (9.9%) for analysis and reports, 87 (15.9%) for governance and infrastructure, 155 (28.4%) for information technology, 21 (3.8%) for personnel knowledge and 121 (22.2%) for their practice. Additionally, data quality indicators were also considered for evaluation of PBCRs. CONCLUSION: This comprehensive tool can be used to show the gaps and limitations of the PBCR programs and provide informative clues for their improvement.