Priority Area 2: Standardization and Registry Development (S&RD)

Rationale:

Standardization and registry development continues to be a mission-critical role that must move forward so that central registries are adequately prepared to adapt rapidly and successfully to changing developments in cancer surveillance. Emerging technologies, genetic and clinical advances, survivorship issues, electronic medical records, and “Big Data” are transforming the way central cancer registries function. For these reasons, the S&RD priority area must continue to maintain its efforts to assure the highest quality data for central registries while seeking innovative strategies to develop the cancer registry of the future.

Goal 1: Prepare for the cancer surveillance system of the future – a system that is more timely, responsive, and adaptable.

• Objective 1: Analyze how cancer surveillance systems will interface with electronic health data through interoperability.  Enhance the capacity of cancer surveillance systems to leverage electronic health data. [Strategic Initiatives include Informatics, Artificial Intelligence and Cloud Technology]
• Objective 2: Prioritize and increase the use of informatics in registry operations. [Strategic Initiatives include Certification, Informatics, Artificial Intelligence and Cloud Technology, Expanded Training for NAACCR Members]

Goal 2: Establish consensus standards and best practices for the collection and processing of cancer and patient information.

• Objective 1: Maintain up-to-date and accessible consensus-based standards and implementation guidelines. [Strategic Initiatives include Certification, Innovative Approaches to Data Collection (Minimal Datasets and Partial Records,) Improving Race and Ethnicity Reporting]
• Objective 2: Collaborate with the High Level Strategic Group Standards Alignment Task Force to leverage minimum data sets. [Strategic Initiatives include Innovative Approaches to Data Collection (Minimal Datasets and Partial Records)]

Goal 3: Explore and develop innovative uses of cancer registries by identifying emerging initiatives and new roles that bring value-added benefits to cancer surveillance, research, and cancer control.

• Objective 1:  Promote Central Registry initiatives which are scalable and bring value-added benefits to cancer surveillance, research, and cancer control, through partnerships with Comprehensive Cancer Control programs, state and jurisdictional environmental groups, and researchers that use our data. [Strategic Initiatives include Communication, Expanded Training for NAACCR Members]

Priority Area 3: Research and Data Use

Rationale

The fundamental value of centralized cancer registries is the high-quality data that allows innovative research, reliable cancer surveillance and improved cancer control. The Research and Data Use Steering Committee plays a vital role in assuring promotion and access to registry data in a systematic and user-friendly way. Significant advances in technology and science offer new opportunities and challenges for cancer surveillance. Data analytics and “Big Data” are presenting new ways to analyze both structured and unstructured data to provide new insights and directions in our understanding of cancer. It is essential that NAACCR keeps pace with these developments by making certain that central registries are positioned to make the fullest possible contribution to future research in epidemiology, cancer prevention and control, and, in particular, clinical outcomes.

Goal 1: Improve the quality and relevance of CiNA and central cancer registry data.

• Objective 1: Assess the accuracy and relevancy of CiNA and central cancer registry data. [Strategic Initiatives include Certification, Innovative Approaches to Data Collection (Minimal Datasets and Partial Records)]
• Objective 2: Improve the accuracy and relevancy of CiNA and central cancer registry data. [Strategic Initiatives include Certification, Innovative Approaches to Data Collection (Minimal Datasets and Partial Records), Improving Race and Ethnicity Reporting]

Goal 2: Increase the use of CiNA and central cancer registry data.

• Objective 1: Support technical competency in all aspects of CiNA and central cancer registry data use and research. [Strategic Initiatives include Improving Race and Ethnicity Reporting, Expanded Training for NAACCR Members, Volunteer Recruitment and Retention]
• Objective 2: Maintain and enhance suite of CiNA data products. [Strategic Initiatives include Certification]
• Objective 3: Develop efficient processes to improve access to CiNA data. [Strategic Initiatives include Innovative Approaches to Data Collection (Minimal Datasets and Partial Records), Expanded Training for NAACCR Members]
• Objective 4: Leverage existing RDU and other steering committee resources to promulgate CiNA data products and cancer registry data. [Strategic Initiatives include Policy and Advocacy]

Priority Area 5: Professional Development

Rationale:

The development and training of skilled CTRs, epidemiologists, IT specialists, and registry managers remains essential to the future of centralized registries. New technologies and advances in genetics and molecular biology are informing clinical and cancer control strategies. Informatics, analytics, and molecular epidemiology are combining to push for change in the way registries function. Personnel are being asked to do more with less, as budgets are cut and the complexity of work responsibilities increases. Enhanced training and professional development will remain an essential priority of NAACCR.

In addition, an aging workforce creates a demand for succession planning to establish a talented pool of future leaders for central registries. Programs to develop management, leadership, and strategic thinking proficiencies will grow. NAACCR needs to work collaboratively with other key agencies to address this serious concern.

Goal 1:  Develop and implement strategies to recruit and retain diverse personnel and skill sets in central cancer registries by enhancing career opportunities for individuals.

• Objective 1: Partner with other professional organizations (e.g., AHIMA, NCRA, APHA) to address recruitment and retention issues.  [Strategic Initiatives include Expanded Training for NAACCR Members]
• Objective 2: Establish collaborative approaches to make career opportunities more attractive to individuals with skill sets and expertise to build and implement the cancer registry of the future. [Strategic Initiatives include Expanded Training For NAACCR Members, Volunteer Recruitment and Retention, Informatics, Artificial Intelligence and Cloud Technology]
• Objective 3: Coordinate with steering committees and other groups to promote and disseminate new materials that support membership. [Strategic Initiatives include Expanded Training for NAACCR Members]
• Objective 4: Engage new members through the Member Ambassador Program to encourage involvement in NAACCR activities. [Strategic Initiatives include Volunteer Recruitment & Retention]

Goal 2:  Coordinate a comprehensive multidisciplinary training program to ensure that NAACCR members possess the requisite skill sets to excel in the rapidly changing cancer surveillance environment.

• Objective 1: Collaborate with other steering committees to ensure that training programs for core and emerging competencies are available and develop them as needed to provide for a talented and reliable supply of future NAACCR leaders. [Strategic Initiatives include Expanded Training for NAACCR Members]
• Objective 2: Coordinate an inter-registry mentorship program with opportunities for registry staff to observe operations and best practices of highly successful registries. [Strategic Initiatives include Expanded Training for NAACCR Members]
• Objective 3: Support and guide University level curriculum for central cancer registries with other interested organizations. [Strategic Initiatives include Expanded Training for NAACCR Members]