Name four sources of electronic data files.

• A. Facility electronic health record; Pathology laboratory; Physician office/clinic including outpatient oncology; Central registry
• B. Facility electronic health record
• C. Pathology laboratory
• D. Central registry

Answer: (D)

In cancer management, electronic data files come from multiple places to give a complete picture of a patient’s care and outcomes. Four common sources are facility electronic health records, pathology laboratories, physician offices or clinics (including outpatient oncology), and central registries. Facility EHRs store clinical encounters, treatments given, lab and imaging results, and demographic details. Pathology laboratories provide histology, biopsy results, tumor markers, and receptor status that are crucial for diagnosis and staging. Physician offices and clinics capture outpatient visits, treatment plans, doses, schedules, adverse effects, and follow-up notes. Central registries collect cancer incidence and outcome data from many facilities, supporting population-based surveillance and research. To name four sources, you would list these four; focusing on a single source wouldn’t meet the request.