Annual Report 2019
Division of Health Services Research
Takahiro Higashi, Tomone Watanabe, Yuichi Ichinose, Mei Matsuki, Izumi Inoue, Naoki Sakakibara, Taro Tomizuka, Taisuke Ishii, Ryoko Rikitake, Kaoru Konno, Yuriko Nishikawa, Reiko Sakano, Mayumi Sato
Introduction
The Division of Health Services Research conducts research that helps improve cancer care in Japan by conducting meaningful evaluations of health systems and health policy performance.
Research activities
1. Cancer registry-linked DPC database
As part of our ongoing initiative to monitor the quality of cancer care in Japan using a database of cancer registry-linked DPC data, we continued building the database for cancer patients diagnosed in 2016. After collecting DPC data from a total of 476 hospitals, adherence to standards of care, which was previously devised based on the clinical guidelines, was analyzed using existing quality indicators across cancers. Analysis was performed on all 42 Quality Indicators (QIs) before the results were fed back to each participating hospital. We presented the final results as a paper-based report. Also, we updated 10 existing lung cancer QIs in light of the recent practice guidelines. The number of QIs then came to 53.
2. Rare Cancer Control Policy
The Division has been assigned the administrative task of facilitating the Working Group for Rare Cancer Control Policy by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MoH). In 2019, the Division continued to host two subcommittee meetings: one for soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities and the other for eye tumors. We have updated an on-line information platform patients can access freely in order to collect information regarding the current care practice for patients with soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities and eye tumors across Japan. Following a precedent, a new committee was launched in the field of NEN, NET and NEC. A conversation has begun regarding the care provision for this population.
3. Monitoring and Evaluation of National Cancer Control Programs
The Division continued to implement evaluation programs in order to evaluate the recent Cancer Control Policy in Japan. An updated version of the cancer patient experience survey was launched in December, 2018. In 2019, the results from 10,713 patients across 166 hospitals were analyzed. After several discussions with the MoH, we are presenting the results as a paper-based report. The reports will be presented with a detailed explanation in order to make them easier to understand. Later in the year, the first cancer patient experience survey targeting pediatric patients was launched. Questionnaires were sent to 2511 patients across 97 hospitals in Japan.
Education
The Division accepted two visiting researchers and provided continuous education. We hosted four medical students from The University of Tokyo for a clerkship in Public Health. The Division also established an Affiliate Graduate Program with The University of Tokyo’s Department of Public Health / Health Policy, opening the doors to graduate school students who are interested in gaining hands-on public health training.
Future Prospects
The Division envisions facilitating evidence-based policymaking and improving the care of cancer patients by monitoring the performance of cancer policy and quality of care among cancer treatment centers across the country. To serve this purpose, the Division is working to provide an information exchange platform along with the solid baseline data for specialists and various stakeholders, designed to foster evidence-based exchange of ideas for cancer policy planning.
List of papers published in 2019
Journal
1. Yazaki S, Yamauchi T, Higashi T. High hepatitis B virus screening rate among patients receiving systemic anticancer treatment in Japan. Int J Clin Oncol, 25:1327-1333, 2020
2. Rikitake R, Kamitani S, Takahashi M, Higashi T. Workplace Support Systems in Small- and Medium-Sized Companies for Employees Receiving Medical Treatment in Japan. Global Journal of Health Science, 12:91-102, 2020
3. Takayama T, Yamaki C, Hayakawa M, Higashi T, Toh Y, Wakao F. Development of a New Tool for Better Social Recognition of Cancer Information and Support Activities Under the National Cancer Control Policy in Japan. J Public Health Manag Pract, 2020
4. Okuyama A, Barclay M, Chen C, Higashi T. Impact of loss-to-follow-up on cancer survival estimates for small populations: a simulation study using Hospital-Based Cancer Registries in Japan. BMJ Open, 10:e033510, 2020
5. Okuyama A, Higashi T. Usability of Clinical Information in Discharge Summary Data in the Diagnosis Procedure Combination Survey for Cancer Patients. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 17:521, 2020
6. Motoyama S, Maeda E, Yano M, Yasuda T, Ohira M, Kajiyama Y, Higashi T, Doki Y, Matsubara H. Esophagectomy performed at institutes certified by the Japan Esophageal Society provide long-term survival advantages to esophageal cancer patients: second report analyzing 4897 cases with propensity score matching. Esophagus, 17:141-148, 2020
7. Nagumo Y, Kojima T, Shiga M, Kojo K, Tanaka K, Kandori S, Kimura T, Kawahara T, Kawai K, Okuyama A, Higashi T, Nishiyama H. Clinicopathological features of malignant urachal tumor: A hospital-based cancer registry data in Japan. Int J Urol, 27:157-162, 2020
8. Kanemura H, Tamura T, Nishimura N, Kobayashi D, Higashi T. Thymic epithelial tumor treatment in Japan: analysis of hospital cancer registry and insurance claims data, 2012-2014. Jpn J Clin Oncol, 50:310-317, 2020
9. Nishimura A, Nishimura K, Onozuka D, Matsuo R, Kada A, Kamitani S, Higashi T, Ogasawara K, Shimodozono M, Harada M, Hashimoto Y, Hirano T, Hoshino H, Itabashi R, Itoh Y, Iwama T, Kohriyama T, Matsumaru Y, Osato T, Sasaki M, Shiokawa Y, Shimizu H, Takekawa H, Nishi T, Uno M, Yagita Y, Ido K, Kurogi A, Kurogi R, Arimura K, Ren N, Hagihara A, Takizawa S, Arai H, Kitazono T, Miyamoto S, Minematsu K, Iihara K. Development of Quality Indicators of Stroke Centers and Feasibility of Their Measurement Using a Nationwide Insurance Claims Database in Japan — J-ASPECT Study —. Circ J, 83:2292-2302, 2019
10. Miura S, Miyata R, Matsumoto S, Higashi T, Wakisaka Y, Ago T, Kitazono T, Iihara K, Shimodozono M. Quality Management Program of Stroke Rehabilitation Using Adherence to Guidelines: A Nationwide Initiative in Japan. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis, 28:2434-2441, 2019
11. Rikitake R, Tsukada Y, Ando M, Yoshida M, Iwamoto M, Yamasoba T, Higashi T. Use of intensity-modulated radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal cancer in Japan: analysis using a national database. Jpn J Clin Oncol, 49:639-645, 2019
12. Matsumura Shinji, Ozaki Makiko, Iwamoto Momoko, Kamitani Satoru, Toyama Manabu, Waza Kazuhiro, Higashi Takahiro, Bito Seiji. Development and Pilot Testing of Quality Indicators for Primary Care in Japan. JMA Journal, 2:131-138, 2019
13. Higashi T, Watanabe T, Iwamoto M, Mikami M. The Use of Sensitive Imaging Modalities for Cervical Cancer Staging in Japan. Global Journal of Health Science, 11:75-82, 2019