Certified Tumor Registrar (CTR) Practice Exam

Which method is considered a systemic approach to locate all eligible cases?

1. Retrospective analysis

2. Casefinding

3. Direct referral

4. Utilization review

The correct answer is: Casefinding

The method identified as a systemic approach to locate all eligible cases is casefinding. This process involves actively and systematically searching for individuals within a defined population who meet specific eligibility criteria for inclusion in a cancer registry. Effective casefinding ensures that all diagnosed cancer cases are identified and recorded correctly, thus providing a comprehensive overview of cancer incidence and outcomes. In cancer registries, casefinding integrates various strategies, including reviewing pathology reports, collaborating with clinicians, and utilizing hospital admission data, among others. This multifaceted approach is vital for ensuring that no potential cases are overlooked, thus enhancing the accuracy and completeness of the registry data. The other methods, while relevant in their contexts, do not provide the same exhaustive approach to locating eligible cases. Retrospective analysis focuses on reviewing already collected data rather than actively searching for new cases. Direct referral is typically about receiving cases from healthcare providers rather than seeking them out proactively. Utilization review examines the appropriateness of the services being provided, which is not primarily aimed at casefinding but rather at assessing treatment quality and necessity. Therefore, casefinding is distinctively recognized for its systematic methodology in identifying all eligible cases for inclusion in cancer registries.