Design of site-specific prognostic morbidity-mortality studies and internal outcome focus studies in radiation oncology.

Abstract

This research focuses on morbidity-mortality reviews and internal outcome focus studies. Definitions are provided as well as a complete discussion of the ideal parameters to consider when constructing each of these. The implementation of the design characteristics used may be of assistance to a center pursuing achievement of these requirements toward accreditation to exemplify continuous quality improvement in external-beam radiation therapy. The article further provides the educational tools necessary for readers to mature expanded studies from it for advanced site-specific clinical analyses.