General Guidance

  • There is guidance widely available on the principles and methods on how to perform a clinical audit. However, the link below directs the learner to an easy to view generic 6-minute video on the basic steps involved in clinical audit:
  • The CRUK national cancer diagnosis audit is a good example of how to conduct an effective cancer audit and includes an example data collection template.
  • The general principles involved in Cancer Audit include:
  1.    Identify the reason for audit
  2.    Setting standards - obtaining recommended guidelines e.g. local cancer alliance guidelines, NICE, Royal College guidelines etc.
  3.    Data collection
  4.    Analysis
  5.    Implementing change
  6.    Re-audit
  • The attached generic audit templates can also be used by the learner or inspire them to create their own:

Structured cancer audit template box:

Structured Cancer Audit Template

Cancer audit patient data excel:

Cancer Audit Patient Data Template

Audit Topic Ideas and Guidance

Select or create audit topics that are simple, so they are achievable.

The attached document details some suggested cancer related audit topics that the learner can undertake. The list is not exhaustive. These can be discussed between the educator and learner and can be adapted to their specific needs. They may also help to generate individual audit topics based on any gaps identified in areas that need improving in their workplace.

Other useful sources of audit ideas can be obtained after discussion with their Practice Manager, who may get ideas based on criteria from the practice’s participation in a PCN DES (Direct Enhanced Service) or LES (Local Enhanced Service) schemes.

Cancer Audit Ideas