Implementing and Sustaining Early Cancer Diagnosis Initiatives in Canada: An Exploratory Qualitative Study
Background: 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 initiative...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-10-01
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| Series: | Current Oncology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/28/6/369 |
| _version_ | 1827673127325270016 |
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| author | Christine Fahim Larkin Davenport Huyer Tom (Taehoon) Lee Anubha Prashad Robyn Leonard Satya Rashi Khare Jennifer Stiff Jennifer Chadder Sharon E. Straus |
| author_facet | Christine Fahim Larkin Davenport Huyer Tom (Taehoon) Lee Anubha Prashad Robyn Leonard Satya Rashi Khare Jennifer Stiff Jennifer Chadder Sharon E. Straus |
| author_sort | Christine Fahim |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: 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. Methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusion: 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T04:20:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-11e7cbd2ea0742ad86d5275177d215eb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1198-0052 1718-7729 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T04:20:34Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Current Oncology |
| spelling | doaj.art-11e7cbd2ea0742ad86d5275177d215eb2023-11-23T07:50:07ZengMDPI AGCurrent Oncology1198-00521718-77292021-10-012864341435610.3390/curroncol28060369Implementing and Sustaining Early Cancer Diagnosis Initiatives in Canada: An Exploratory Qualitative StudyChristine Fahim0Larkin Davenport Huyer1Tom (Taehoon) Lee2Anubha Prashad3Robyn Leonard4Satya Rashi Khare5Jennifer Stiff6Jennifer Chadder7Sharon E. Straus8Knowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, CanadaKnowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, CanadaKnowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, CanadaCanadian Partnership Against Cancer, Toronto, ON M5H 1J8, CanadaCanadian Partnership Against Cancer, Toronto, ON M5H 1J8, CanadaCanadian Partnership Against Cancer, Toronto, ON M5H 1J8, CanadaCanadian Partnership Against Cancer, Toronto, ON M5H 1J8, CanadaCanadian Partnership Against Cancer, Toronto, ON M5H 1J8, CanadaKnowledge Translation Program, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, CanadaBackground: 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. Methods: 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. Results: 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. Conclusion: 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.https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/28/6/369cancer diagnosisearly cancer diagnosis initiativeshealth services researchimplementationevaluation |
| spellingShingle | Christine Fahim Larkin Davenport Huyer Tom (Taehoon) Lee Anubha Prashad Robyn Leonard Satya Rashi Khare Jennifer Stiff Jennifer Chadder Sharon E. Straus Implementing and Sustaining Early Cancer Diagnosis Initiatives in Canada: An Exploratory Qualitative Study Current Oncology cancer diagnosis early cancer diagnosis initiatives health services research implementation evaluation |
| title | Implementing and Sustaining Early Cancer Diagnosis Initiatives in Canada: An Exploratory Qualitative Study |
| title_full | Implementing and Sustaining Early Cancer Diagnosis Initiatives in Canada: An Exploratory Qualitative Study |
| title_fullStr | Implementing and Sustaining Early Cancer Diagnosis Initiatives in Canada: An Exploratory Qualitative Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Implementing and Sustaining Early Cancer Diagnosis Initiatives in Canada: An Exploratory Qualitative Study |
| title_short | Implementing and Sustaining Early Cancer Diagnosis Initiatives in Canada: An Exploratory Qualitative Study |
| title_sort | implementing and sustaining early cancer diagnosis initiatives in canada an exploratory qualitative study |
| topic | cancer diagnosis early cancer diagnosis initiatives health services research implementation evaluation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/28/6/369 |
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