Data Documentation
This page provides comprehensive documentation for the Integrative Oncology Services Dataset, including field definitions, controlled vocabularies, and usage guidelines.
Data Dictionary
The dataset contains 13 standardized fields per record. Below is the complete data dictionary:
| Field Name | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Text | Official name of the service or program |
| Organization | Text | Parent organization or institution providing the service |
| Provider Type | Categorical | Classification of provider (Public Hospital, NGO/Charity, University, Government, Council, Other) |
| Facility Type | Categorical | Type of facility where services are delivered |
| Address | Text | Street address of the service location |
| Suburb | Text | Suburb or locality name |
| Postcode | Numeric | Australian postcode |
| Phone | Text | Primary contact phone number |
| Website | URL | Official website or program information page |
| group_services_standardized | Text (controlled) | Standardized group-based services offered (yoga, meditation/mindfulness, exercise, support_group, qi_gong/tai_chi, art_therapy, music_therapy, education) |
| individual_services_standardized | Text (controlled) | One-on-one services (oncology massage, lymphoedema therapy, acupuncture, psychology, dietetics, etc.) |
| associated_services_standardized | Text (controlled) | Additional support services (social work, spiritual care, etc.) |
| Verification Notes (as of Oct 2025) | Text | Quality assurance notes documenting verification status and any relevant context |
Controlled Vocabularies
Provider Type
- Public Hospital: Government-funded tertiary or secondary hospitals
- NGO/Charity: Non-profit organizations and charitable foundations
- University: University-affiliated services and research programs
- Government: State or federal government services
- Council: Local council-funded programs
- Other: Hybrid or unique models
Group Services (Standardized Terms)
- exercise: Structured physical activity programs (e.g., walking groups, strength training)
- yoga: Yoga classes adapted for cancer patients
- meditation/mindfulness: Meditation, mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), or relaxation programs
- support_group: Peer support groups, discussion groups, or survivor networks
- qi_gong/tai_chi: Traditional Chinese movement practices
- art_therapy: Creative arts programs for therapeutic purposes
- music_therapy: Music-based therapeutic interventions
- education: Educational workshops or seminars on cancer-related topics
Individual Services (Examples)
- oncology_massage: Specialized massage therapy for cancer patients
- lymphoedema_therapy: Treatment for lymphedema
- acupuncture: Traditional acupuncture services
- psychology: Individual counseling or psychotherapy
- dietetics: Nutritional counseling and support
Data Collection Methodology
Scope and Inclusion Criteria
Metropolitan boundaries followed Australian Bureau of Statistics Greater Capital City Statistical Areas where applicable. Services were included if they met the following criteria:
- Designed for cancer patients, survivors, or caregivers
- Offer evidence-informed complementary or supportive activities
- Publicly accessible (public hospital, NGO, or council-provided)
- Active in August 2025
- Sufficient public information to populate required fields
Search Strategy
Multi-pronged approach including:
- Structured web queries combining city and service terms
- Targeted hospital/NGO/council website navigation
- Professional directories and registries
- Direct verification in October 2025
Data Extraction and Standardization
Two researchers independently extracted fields using a standardized form. Discrepancies were reconciled by consensus or provider confirmation. Controlled vocabularies were applied consistently across all records.
Verification and Quality Control
- All records verified as of October 2025
- Duplicate detection and removal
- Internal consistency checks (provider type vs. facility type)
- External cross-validation with Cancer Council and institutional pages
Usage Guidelines
Recommended Use Cases
- Service mapping and gap analysis
- Health services research
- Clinical pathway development
- Patient resource directories
- Comparative effectiveness studies
- Policy and planning activities
Data Format
The dataset is available in two formats:
- CSV: Single flat file suitable for analysis in R, Python, or statistical software
- Excel: Multi-sheet workbook with city-level organization
Reusability Notes
- The schema supports longitudinal updates via stable service names and URLs
- Controlled vocabularies enable harmonization with future datasets
- Geographic fields support mapping and spatial analysis
- Verification notes provide transparency for quality assessment
Limitations
The dataset includes 185 verified services as of October 2025. Some fields described in the protocol could not be consistently obtained during data collection and are reserved for future updates:
- Eligibility criteria (not consistently available)
- Operating hours (variable and frequently changing)
- Cost structure (often case-dependent or unclear)
Users should verify current service availability and details directly with providers before making referrals or recommendations.
Updates and Contributions
This dataset represents a point-in-time snapshot (August-October 2025). We welcome:
- Reports of service changes or closures
- New service submissions
- Data quality feedback
- Suggestions for additional fields or features
Please contact the corresponding author to contribute updates or corrections.