Time Intervals Under the Lens at Sweden's First Diagnostic Center for Primary Care Patients With Nonspecific Symptoms of Cancer. A Comparison With Matched Control Patients.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Fast-track referral pathways for patients with nonspecific, serious symptoms have been implemented in several countries. Our objective was to analyze time intervals in the diagnostic routes of patients diagnosed with cancer at Sweden's first Diagnostic Center (DC) for nonspecific symptoms and compare with time intervals of matched control patients.

Methods

Adult patients with nonspecific symptoms that could not be explained by an initial investigation in primary care were eligible for referral to the DC. Patients diagnosed with cancer were matched with patients at another hospital within the same healthcare organization. We aimed for two control patients per DC-patient and matched on tumor type, age and sex. Five time intervals were compared: 1) patient interval

SUBMITTER: Sundquist J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7735559 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature