Advances in Radiation Oncology (Oct 2016)

The big data effort in radiation oncology: Data mining or data farming?

  • Charles S. Mayo, PhD,
  • Marc L. Kessler, PhD,
  • Avraham Eisbruch, MD,
  • Grant Weyburne, BS,
  • Mary Feng, MD,
  • James A. Hayman, MD,
  • Shruti Jolly, MD,
  • Issam El Naqa, PhD,
  • Jean M. Moran, PhD,
  • Martha M. Matuszak, PhD,
  • Carlos J. Anderson, PhD,
  • Lynn P. Holevinski, BS,
  • Daniel L. McShan, PhD,
  • Sue M. Merkel, MSA RT(R)(T),
  • Sherry L. Machnak, MBA RT(T),
  • Theodore S. Lawrence, MD PhD,
  • Randall K. Ten Haken, PhD

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adro.2016.10.001
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 1, no. 4
pp. 260 – 271

Abstract

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Although large volumes of information are entered into our electronic health care records, radiation oncology information systems and treatment planning systems on a daily basis, the goal of extracting and using this big data has been slow to emerge. Development of strategies to meet this goal is aided by examining issues with a data farming instead of a data mining conceptualization. Using this model, a vision of key data elements, clinical process changes, technology issues and solutions, and role for professional societies is presented. With a better view of technology, process and standardization factors, definition and prioritization of efforts can be more effectively directed.