title: Implementation plans for the Korean certified tumor registrar qualification system.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cancer registration data is used to understand the nation's cancer burden, and to provide significant baseline data for cancer control efforts, as well as, research on cancer incidence, mortality, survival, and prevalence. A system that approves, assesses, and manages the qualification of specialists, responsible for performing cancer registration, has not been developed in Korea. This study presents ways to implement a certification system designed for the qualification of tumor registrars in Korea.
  
  
  METHODS
  Requirements for implementing a certified tumor registrar qualification system were determined by reviewing the system for establishing qualifications in Korea and the American qualification system via the National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA). Moreover, a survey was conducted on Korean medical records administrators, who had taken the U.S. Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) examination, in order to review their opinions regarding these requirements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study verified the feasibility of a qualification examination based on the opinions of CTR specialists by determining the following: items, and the associated ratings, of the qualifications necessary to register individuals as certified tumor registrars in a private qualification system; status of human resources required for the examination or training processes; plans regarding the organization needed for management, and operation of qualifications, examination standards, subject areas, examination methods, examination qualifications, or education and training programs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The implementation of a certified tumor registrar qualification system will lead to enhanced job competency for specialists and a qualitative improvement of cancer registration data. It will also reliably foster human resources that will lay the groundwork needed to establish scientific and reasonable national cancer management policies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Healthcare Administration, College of Health Industry, Eulji University, Seongnam, Korea E-mail : astra67@ncc.re.kr.
authors.forename: Yoo-Kyung
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Boo
authors.forename: Hyun-Sook
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Young-Joo
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Won
mesh_terms: D002568:Certification; D003406:Credentialing / Q000592:standards*; D006284:Health Plan Implementation / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011786:Quality Control; D012042:Registries / Q000592:standards*; D056910:Republic of Korea; D014481:United States