Cancer Res Treat.  2015 Apr;47(2):149-157. 10.4143/crt.2013.167.

Setting a Health Policy Research Agenda for Controlling Cancer Burden in Korea

• Jang SI
• Cho KH
• Kim SJ
• Lee KS
• Park EC

• KMID: 2132792
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4143/crt.2013.167

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of study was to provide suggestions for prioritizing research in effort to reduce cancer burden in Korea based on a comprehensive analysis of cancer burden and Delphi consensus among cancer experts.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Twenty research plans covering 10 topics were selected based on an assessment of the literature, and e-mail surveys were analyzed using a two-round modified Delphi method. Thirty-four out of 79 experts were selected from four organizations to participate in round one, and 21 experts among them had completed round two. Each item had two questions; one regarding the agreement of the topic as a priority item to reduce cancer burden, and the other about the importance of the item on a nine-point scale. A consensus was defined to be an average lower coefficient of variation with less than 30% in importance.
RESULTS
Seven plans that satisfied the three criteria were selected as priority research plans for reducing cancer burden. These plans are "research into advanced clinical guidelines for thyroid cancer given the current issue with over-diagnosis," "research into smoking management plans through price and non-price cigarette policy initiatives," "research into ways to measure the quality of cancer care," "research on policy development to expand hospice care," "research into the spread and management of Helicobacter pylori," "research on palliative care in a clinical setting," and "research into alternative mammography methods to increase the accuracy of breast cancer screenings."
CONCLUSION
The seven plans identified in this study should be prioritized to reduce the burden of cancer in Korea. We suggest that policy makers and administrators study and invest significant effort in these plans.

Keyword

Cancer burden; Delphi technique; Agenda; Research plan; Priority; Thyroid neoplasms; Hospices; Helicobacter pylori; Early detection of cancer

MeSH Terms

Administrative Personnel
Breast Neoplasms
Consensus
Delphi Technique
Early Detection of Cancer
Electronic Mail
Health Policy*
Helicobacter
Helicobacter pylori
Hospices
Humans
Korea
Mammography
Palliative Care
Policy Making
Smoke
Smoking
Thyroid Neoplasms
Tobacco Products
Smoke

Reference

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