Match*Pro Record Linkage Software

Recorded On: 06/08/2021

Overview
Speaker(s)

This was presented on June 8-9, 2021. Each recording is about 4 hours long.

Course Objectives

Ensure shared understanding of basic linkage concepts

Provide instructional overview of Match*Pro functionality

Give attendees hands-on experience working with test data

Increase knowledge of and familiarity with Match*Pro

Requirements

Participants should come to the workshop with the Match*Pro software pre-installed on their PC or laptop. It is highly recommended that participants have access to 2 monitors: 1 for displaying the instructor’s screen and another for the usage of Match*Pro.

Participants should download the materials under the Handouts tab and then listen to the recording to follow along.

Match*Pro Software https://surveillance.cancer.gov/matchpro/

Content

We will provide some background information on probabilistic record linkage theory, conduct a hands-on exercise to teach users how they can utilize Match*Pro’s validation engine to improve the quality of their linkage data and explore the basic functionality and options that are available to users on the linkage configuration and linkage results screens with guided tours and hands-on exercises. The session will close out with a review of Match*Pro’s more advanced/niche features.

Castine Clerkin, MS, CTR

VPR Program Manager, NAACCR

Castine Clerkin is the Program Manager for NAACCR’s Virtual Pooled Registry Cancer Linkage System. In this role she oversees all aspects of the project, from pilot linkages to workgroup calls to system development and testing. Prior to joining NAACCR, Castine was a Program Consultant with CDC’s National Program of Cancer Registries for over 7 years and led various special projects, including early case capture of childhood cancer cases. Castine began her career in cancer surveillance in 2001, working as the epidemiologist and data manager for the Maine Cancer Registry.

Will Howe, BS

Senior Programmer/Analyst

Information Management Services

Mr. Howe is a Senior Programmer/Analyst at Information Management Services, Inc. (IMS) and the creator of Match*Pro. He has over 10 years of experience in conducting record linkages and studying record linkage concepts/theory.

Rich Pinder, BA

Analyst

Los Angeles Cancer Surveillance Program - USC

Rich Pinder joined the Department of Preventive Medicine at USC in 1982 and has worked in several areas of cancer research. He joined the Los Angeles County cancer registry when it became a part of the SEER program, and developed large scale data linkage resources still currently utilized for patient followup. He founded and directed activities for two prospective cancer cohort studies: the California Twin Study, and the California Teachers Study (CTS).

Rich is active in the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR) and is a member in numerous technology oriented committees and working groups. He has a Bachelor’s of Science in Instructional Technology from University of Southern California.

Don Green. BS

Senior Systems Analyst

Information Management Services

Mr. Green has over 30 years of experience with IMS, providing biomedical computing support to the National Cancer Institute. Currently, Mr. Green is the manager that oversees the development of the VPR-CLS web portal and the VPR linkage tool Match*Pro. Mr. Green also manages a group of computer programmers supporting NAACCR products including the CINA publication and CiNA*Explorer. Mr. Green is also the task leader for the NCI's Joinpoint software and has worked as a senior systems analyst for NCI's SEER*Stat, TNM and Collaborative staging.