title: Medical practices and cancer care networks: examples in oncology.
abstract: Understanding medical practices or the whys and wherefores of care decision-making is among the major objectives of medical, economic and sociological research in the current political environment. Although variations of medical practice have long been known to exist, causes and deciding factors remain obscure. This is one of the reasons why medical auditing became widely used in the past years. Using methods similar to those of clinical research, we will explore existing medical practices and their implications, with the aim to propose possible improvements. Elaborating clinical practice guidelines and promoting cancer network activities might prove promising and have a significant impact on clinical practice. This article provides a state-of-the-art overview of the subject, notably in the domain of oncology where substantial advances are being made.
authors.affiliation: Centre Léon Bérard, 28, rue Laennec, 69008 Lyon, France. ray@lyon.fnclcc.fr
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ray-Coquard
authors.forename: Franck
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chauvin
authors.forename: Antoine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lurkin
authors.forename: Françoise
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ducimetière
authors.forename: Jean Philippe
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Jacquin
authors.forename: Cécile
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Agostini
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pouchard
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Fadila
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Farsi
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Castel
authors.forename: Lionel
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Perrier
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Philip
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000592:standards*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000639:trends; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care