A health services research agenda for cellular, molecular and genomic technologies in cancer care.
BACKGROUND
In recent decades, extensive resources have been invested to develop cellular, molecular and genomic technologies with clinical applications that span the continuum of cancer care.


METHODS
In December 2006, the National Cancer Institute sponsored the first workshop to uniquely examine the state of health services research on cancer-related cellular, molecular and genomic technologies and identify challenges and priorities for expanding the evidence base on their effectiveness in routine care.


RESULTS
This article summarizes the workshop outcomes, which included development of a comprehensive research agenda that incorporates health and safety endpoints, utilization patterns, patient and provider preferences, quality of care and access, disparities, economics and decision modeling, trends in cancer outcomes, and health-related quality of life among target populations.


CONCLUSIONS
Ultimately, the successful adoption of useful technologies will depend on understanding and influencing the patient, provider, health care system and societal factors that contribute to their uptake and effectiveness in 'real-world' settings.
Wideroff
Louise
L
National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA. Wideroff@nih.gov
Phillips
Kathryn A
KA
Randhawa
Gurvaneet
G
Ambs
Anita
A
Armstrong
Katrina
K
Bennett
Charles L
CL
Brown
Martin L
ML
Donaldson
Molla S
MS
Follen
Michele
M
Goldie
Sue J
SJ
Hiatt
Robert A
RA
Khoury
Muin J
MJ
Lewis
Graham
G
McLeod
Howard L
HL
Piper
Margaret
M
Powell
Isaac
I
Schrag
Deborah
D
Schulman
Kevin A
KA
Scott
Joan
J
D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D023281:Genomics; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012935:Social Justice