Meeting

There is a compelling public interest to advance the evidence base for cancer treatment and control measures, and to transform the way evidence is aggregated and applied in real-time. The goal of this workshop was to examine the elements of a rapid learning health care system for cancer, one which ensures patient-centered quality, value, safety, and innovation. In light of the substantial public investments in health information technology and comparative effectiveness research, the workshop was both topical and timely.

To facilitate public discussion of a vision for a future learning health care system for cancer, the National Cancer Policy Forum (NCPF) at the Institute of Medicine held a workshop October 5th and 6th, 2009, entitled A Foundation for Evidence-Driven Practice: A Rapid-Learning System for Cancer to address this issue.