Structured reporting Structured reporting was discussed, both in relation to pathology data and imaging data. While work is underway to expand and enhance the use of structured reporting of pathology data, roundtable attendees discussed the challenges faced by the PBCRs from unstructured pathology reporting given that pathology reports are a key source of cancer data for the cancer registries.
“
I think that pathology continues to be a challenge. I think the pathologists know that synoptic reporting is probably where they need to go, but that again, is changing the cadence of the rhythm in the way that they work. I think that that’s very difficult.
The need for structured reporting was also discussed in relation to imaging reports.
“
[T]he reality is that registries are secondary users of those reports and clinical information...And so how do you tackle that incentive for pathologists and for radiologists to report in a way that registries want to report such that we can utilise and leverage natural language processing and machine learning technologies.
Attendees highlighted that when structured reporting is used, cancer registries are able to extract data from pathology reports much more easily.
“
Synoptic reporting has been a game changer for us in being able to capture data from the pathology reports. That doesn’t mean it’s perfect, but it’s certainly much better.
Other data, process and linkage-related barriers discussed by attendees included the following: • Complexities and inconsistencies in terminology and definitions. • Differences in what cancer data is mandatory to report across the various Australian states and territories. • Significant time and resources are required to apply to access health data sets for research purposes. • Most population-based cancer registries do not have access to imaging data, despite imaging data being a key source of information about breast cancer recurrence.
42
National Roundtable Report
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online