AI Skills for the ODS
Cancer registrars do not need to become data scientists to evaluate AI-enabled registry technology. They do need enough fluency to understand what a system is doing, how well it performs, where ODS judgment remains non-negotiable, and whether the technology improves the cancer-data lifecycle from case identification through actionable use. Frequently I am contacted by students […]
It’s a Privilege
It has been my honor and privilege to serve as a cancer registrar, speaker, and author for the past 20+ years! Registrars are a unique healthcare professional, highly trained in anatomy and physiology, cancer disease process, and the healthcare delivery process. Not only has clinical and scientific medicine changed dramatically since I first started, but […]
What It Means When a Cancer Registrar Says, “There Is No Room for AI in the Cancer Registry”
Why do cancer registrars say, “There is no room for AI in the cancer registry?” As a cancer registrar who advocates for thoughtful AI automation, I hear this phrase often. In most cases, it is not opposition to innovation. It is a signal of perceived risk without control. AI has been part of registry work […]
Why Saying AI Solutions Can “Do More With Less” Triggers Fear
“Do more with less.” Four words that can instantly trigger alarm for cancer registrars. For many, the phrase activates a stress response rooted in familiar pressures: unrealistic expectations, shrinking timelines, or a perceived loss of control. When a team is already operating at maximum capacity, it can widen the gap between what leadership expects and […]
Your Data Should Travel as Far as Your Patients
Outpatient cancer care reaches miles into the community.So should your Registry data. In today’s landscape, relying on inpatient-only records or admission (ADT) codes is a fast track to missed cases and incomplete reporting. To read or download the entire article, click here hashtag#OncologyData hashtag#HealthIT hashtag#OutpatientCare hashtag#Casefinding hashtag#AIinOncology hashtag#ThePowerOfOne hashtag#MicheleWebbODS
Outpatient Oncology is Redrawing the Map-Is Your Registry Keeping Up?
Outpatient cancer care now accounts for the majority of services—but is your registry still operating on less than 100% of all the casefinding and abstracting source documents? If you can’t see the data, you can’t count it. In my new article, “Outpatient Oncology Is Redrawing the Map—Is Your Registry Keeping Up?” learn how cancer registrars […]
Changing Perceptions About AI
The blog post said not to use artificial intelligence (AI). Or at least that is what caught my eye. After re-reading the post again I was relieved to see the author was concerned about how it was being used for a specific workflow and application, not related to healthcare. It made sense in that setting, but it did make me think. There is so much noise about the use of artificial intelligence these days for just about everything we do at work or at home. Oncology Data Specialists (ODS’) and oncology service line administrators might easily get caught up in the AI noise and dismiss its use in the cancer registry setting which could be a huge mistake. There are appropriate uses of AI in the Registry and it is important that you understand the use cases and benefits.