Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada.
Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, Toronto, ON M5H 1J8, Canada.
Curr Oncol. 2021 Oct 30;28(6):4341-4356. doi: 10.3390/curroncol28060369.
The interval between suspected cancer and diagnosis for symptomatic patients is often fragmented, leading to diagnosis delays and increased patient stress. We conducted an exploratory qualitative study to explore barriers and facilitators to implementing and sustaining current initiatives across Canada that optimize early cancer diagnosis, with particular relevance for symptomatic patients.
The national study included a document review and key informant interviews with purposefully recruited participants. Data were analyzed by two researchers using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.
Twenty-two participants from eight provinces participated in key informant interviews and reported on 17 early cancer diagnosis initiatives. Most initiatives (88%) were in early phases of implementation. Two patient-facing and eight provider/organization barriers to implementation (e.g., lack of stakeholder buy-in and limited resources) and five facilitators for implementation and sustainability were identified. Opportunities to improve early cancer diagnosis initiatives included building relationships with stakeholders, co-creating initiatives, developing initiatives for Indigenous and underserved populations, optimizing efficiency and sustainability, and standardizing metrics to evaluate impact.
Early cancer diagnosis initiatives in Canada are in early implementation phases. Lack of stakeholder buy-in and limited resources pose a challenge to sustainability. We present opportunities for funders and policymakers to optimize the use and potential impact of early cancer diagnosis initiatives.
症状患者从疑似癌症到确诊的时间间隔往往很零碎，导致诊断延误和患者压力增加。我们进行了一项探索性定性研究，以探讨在加拿大实施和维持优化早期癌症诊断的现有举措的障碍和促进因素，这些举措对症状患者具有特别重要的意义。
这项全国性研究包括对文件的审查和对有针对性招募的参与者进行的重点信息提供者访谈。两名研究人员使用描述性统计和主题分析对数据进行分析。
来自八个省份的 22 名参与者参加了重点信息提供者访谈，并报告了 17 项早期癌症诊断举措。大多数举措（88%）处于实施的早期阶段。确定了实施的两个面向患者的和八个提供者/组织障碍（例如，缺乏利益相关者的支持和有限的资源）以及五个实施和可持续性的促进因素。可以改善早期癌症诊断举措的机会包括与利益相关者建立关系、共同创建举措、为原住民和服务不足的人群开发举措、优化效率和可持续性，以及标准化衡量影响的指标。
加拿大的早期癌症诊断举措处于实施的早期阶段。缺乏利益相关者的支持和有限的资源对可持续性构成挑战。我们为资助者和政策制定者提供了优化早期癌症诊断举措的使用和潜在影响的机会。
