title: More information, more choice: an Italian database for oncology patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In recent years there has been a proliferation of cancer information available for patients in the Italian language. However, quantity without validation and organization is by no means synonymous with providing good information and a good service. Furthermore, the lack of coordination and cooperation between the various information-providing initiatives results in uncontrolled waste.
  
  
  METHODS
  To impose order on the vast ocean of cancer information in Italian, and to provide patients with a reliable and comprehensive tool, the Azalea Project was developed whereby a database of information for patients was created. Paper-based and electronic information is validated and stored so that patients can search and retrieve it. Validation is by means of a grid drawn up by the project team with reference to international standards.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The nucleus of the database constructed by the Centro di Riferimento Oncologico (Oncology Referral Centre), Aviano, was extended using the wide experience of the Italian Cancer Institutes within the Italian Alliance Against Cancer. The website is at http://www.azaleaweb.it
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Meetings and courses specially designed for the project enabled evaluation grids to be created and permitted a fruitful interchange of skills and experience from a variety of professional information providers united in the common aim of providing patients with a service that meets their needs and puts them in control at a difficult time in their lives.
authors.affiliation: National Cancer Research Institute (IST), Genoa, Italy. anna.bogliolo@istge.it
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bogliolo
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Russell-Edu
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Alloro
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ballarini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bocchini
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cecere
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Codonesu
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cognetti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Montella
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ricci
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Seroppi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Trocino
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Truffelli
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cognetti
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Truccolo
mesh_terms: D002755:Choice Behavior; D016208:Databases, Factual; D006295:Health Resources; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval; D007558:Italy; D008495:Medical Oncology; D009369:Neoplasms; D012984:Software