Supporting health care providers in cancer screening: the role of the National Cancer Screening Register

How does the National Cancer Screening Register help general practice staff? A recent article in the Medical Journal of Australia outlines its role in the Australian healthcare system for improving cancer screening. In summary, the NCSR is a digital platform integrated with health-related government databases including Medicare. This real-time data-sharing was designed to reduce the cancer screening reporting burden faced by GPs and nurses. The NCSR also supports the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) and the National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP). For example, lodging reports and follow up information should be easier for GPs through this digital platform, such as ordering FOBT kits or pathology forms for bowel cancer screening. As it is a relatively new initiative, it remains to be seen whether it has led to any beneficial changes in clinical workflow within primary care. Read the original article here.