3 research outputs found
Variation in suspected cancer referral pathways in primary care: comparative analysis across the International Benchmarking Cancer Partnership
Background
International variations in cancer outcomes
persist and may be influenced by differences
in the accessibility and organisation of cancer
patient pathways. More evidence is needed
to understand to what extent variations in the
structure of primary care referral pathways for
cancer investigation contribute to differences in
the timeliness of diagnoses and cancer outcomes
in different countries.
Aim
To explore the variation in primary care referral
pathways for the management of suspected
cancer across different countries.
Design and setting
Descriptive comparative analysis using mixed
methods across the International Cancer
Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP) countries.
Method
Schematics of primary care referral pathways
were developed across 10 ICBP jurisdictions. The
schematics were initially developed using the
Aarhus statement (a resource providing greater
insight and precision into early cancer diagnosis
research) and were further supplemented with
expert insights through consulting leading experts
in primary care and cancer, existing ICBP data,
a focused review of existing evidence on the
management of suspected cancer, published
primary care cancer guidelines, and evaluations of
referral tools and initiatives in primary care.
Results
Referral pathway schematics for 10 ICBP
jurisdictions were presented alongside a
descriptive comparison of the organisation
of primary care management of suspected
cancer. Several key areas of variation across
countries were identified: inflexibility of
referral pathways, lack of a managed route for
non-âspecific symptoms, primary care practitioner
decision-âmaking autonomy, direct access to
investigations, and use of emergency routes.
Conclusion
Analysing the differences in referral processes can
prompt further research to better understand the
impact of variation on the timeliness of diagnoses
and cancer outcomes. Studying these schematics
in local contexts may help to identify opportunities
to improve care and facilitate discussions on what
may constitute best referral practice
Variation in suspected cancer referral pathways in primary care:comparative analysis across the International Benchmarking Cancer Partnership
BACKGROUND: International variations in cancer outcomes persist and may be influenced by differences in the accessibility and organisation of cancer patient pathways. More evidence is needed to understand to what extent variations in the structure of primary care referral pathways for cancer investigation contribute to differences in the timeliness of diagnoses and cancer outcomes in different countries. AIM: To explore the variation in primary care referral pathways for the management of suspected cancer across different countries. DESIGN AND SETTING: Descriptive comparative analysis using mixed methods across the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP) countries. METHOD: Schematics of primary care referral pathways were developed across 10 ICBP jurisdictions. The schematics were initially developed using the Aarhus statement (a resource providing greater insight and precision into early cancer diagnosis research) and were further supplemented with expert insights through consulting leading experts in primary care and cancer, existing ICBP data, a focused review of existing evidence on the management of suspected cancer, published primary care cancer guidelines, and evaluations of referral tools and initiatives in primary care. RESULTS: Referral pathway schematics for 10 ICBP jurisdictions were presented alongside a descriptive comparison of the organisation of primary care management of suspected cancer. Several key areas of variation across countries were identified: inflexibility of referral pathways, lack of a managed route for non-specific symptoms, primary care practitioner decision-making autonomy, direct access to investigations, and use of emergency routes. CONCLUSION: Analysing the differences in referral processes can prompt further research to better understand the impact of variation on the timeliness of diagnoses and cancer outcomes. Studying these schematics in local contexts may help to identify opportunities to improve care and facilitate discussions on what may constitute best referral practice