A Step Toward Timely Referral and Early Diagnosis of Cancer: Implementation and Impact on Knowledge of a Primary Care-Based Training Program in Botswana.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Health system delays in diagnosis of cancer contribute to the glaring disparities in cancer mortality between high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries. In Botswana, approximately 70% of cancers are diagnosed at late stage and median time from first health facility visit for cancer-related symptoms to specialty cancer care was 160 days (IQR 59-653). We describe the implementation and early outcomes of training targeting primary care providers, which is a part of a multi-component implementation study in Kweneng-East district aiming to enhance timely diagnosis of cancers.

Methods

Health-care providers from all public facilities within the district were invited to participate in an 8-h intensive short-course program developed by a multidisciplinar

SUBMITTER: Tapela NM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5986942 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature