TECHNICAL SUPPORT RELATED TO THE SEER-MEDICARE DATA

SEER-Medicare数据反映了两个基于人口的大型数据源的联系，这两个数据源提供了有关患有癌症的Medicare受益人的详细信息。这些数据来自癌症登记处的监测、流行病学和最终结果(SEER)计划，该计划收集癌症患者的临床、人口统计和死因信息，以及从一个人符合联邦医疗保险资格到死亡为止的医疗保健服务的联邦医疗保险索赔。 这两个数据来源的联系产生了一个独特的以人口为基础的信息来源，可用于一系列流行病学和卫生服务研究。例如，使用这一组合数据集的研究人员对癌症诊断前、初步诊断和治疗期间以及长期随访期间癌症患者的护理模式进行了研究。调查人员还检查了癌症测试和程序的使用情况，以及癌症治疗的成本。 链接的SEER-Medicare数据文件既大又复杂。在开始分析之前，建议研究人员阅读所有文档，以确定数据是否支持他们提出的研究问题。此外，SEER-Medicare数据有一些特殊的质量和异常(参见为研究人员提供的分析支持)。强烈鼓励研究人员在进行任何分析或发表研究结果之前，了解数据的复杂性。

The SEER-Medicare data reflect the linkage of two large population-based sources of data that provide detailed information about Medicare beneficiaries with cancer. The data come from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program of cancer registries that collect clinical, demographic and cause of death information for persons with cancer and the Medicare claims for covered health care services from the time of a person's Medicare eligibility until death. The linkage of these two data sources results in a unique population-based source of information that can be used for an array of epidemiological and health services research. For example, investigators using this combined dataset have conducted studies on patterns of care for persons with cancer before a cancer diagnosis, over the period of initial diagnosis and treatment, and during long-term follow-up. Investigators have also examined the use of cancer tests and procedures and the costs of cancer treatment. The linked SEER-Medicare data files are large and complex. Before beginning an analysis, researchers are advised to read all documentation to determine whether the data will support their proposed research question. In addition, the SEER-Medicare data have a number of particular qualities and anomalies (see Analytic Support for Researchers). Researchers are strongly encouraged to understand the complexity of the data before undertaking any analyses or publishing findings.