Table 1 Description of cases within cancer health services research network and their study objectives

1. Case costing of cancer

1. Review case costing literature and programs using administrative databases.

2. Determine availability and quality of cost data in administrative databases in Ontario.

3. Test a case costing methodology using different patient cohorts (e.g., disease sites).

4. Determine disaggregated costs.

5. Validate the resources and costs extracted from administrative linkages.

6. Create a report on the cost of cancer in Ontario and other publications.

2. Lung cancer surgery policy analysis

1. Describe the trends in the distribution of lung cancer surgery in Ontario between April 2003 and March 2009.

2. Estimate the effect of the policy on surgical outcomes.

3. Analyze how structures and processes of care have been affected by changes in the organization and delivery of lung cancer surgery.

4. Explore how a policy to regionalize lung cancer surgery in Ontario was perceived by healthcare decision-makers, healthcare providers, and patients who received lung cancer surgery.

3. Patient and provider reported outcomes

1. To perform linkages between these symptom datasets and administrative data, thereby potentially creating an unparalleled cancer outcomes database.

2. To evaluate whether formal symptom assessment in the course of routine clinical care might be used to predict ER utilization.

There were three other specific research aims (not included).

4. Colorectal cancer screening

1. To evaluate the proposed mailed invitations prior to dissemination.

2. To describe the perceptions of the recipients of mailed invitations regarding: screening to prevent CRC; the mailed invitation; and their screening experiences following receipt of the invitation.

3. To describe the perceptions of participating PCPs with respect to: a) the ColonCancerCheck program; b) the mailed invitation; and c) the Screening Performance Report.

4. To describe the proportion, characteristics and outcomes of eligible Ontarians who responded/did not respond to the mailed invitations.

5. Inter-disciplinary team approach to women’s cancer survivorship

1. Create an inter-disciplinary team to address clinically important research questions related to the interplay between cancer and other medical conditions using the best data and analytical methods.

2. Create a cadre of researchers with interest and expertise in cancer survivorship research through graduate education, supervision and mentorship of trainees.

3. Ensure that the results of the research have a positive effect on clinical practice and patient outcomes through the development of an integrated knowledge translation strategy.