Optimization of a Quality Improvement Tool for Cancer Diagnosis in Primary Care: Qualitative Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The most common route to a diagnosis of cancer is through primary care. Delays in diagnosing cancer occur when an opportunity to make a timely diagnosis is missed and is evidenced by patients visiting the general practitioner (GP) on multiple occasions before referral to a specialist. Tools that minimize prolonged diagnostic intervals and reduce missed opportunities to investigate patients for cancer are therefore a priority.

Objective

This study aims to explore the usefulness and feasibility of a novel quality improvement (QI) tool in which algorithms flag abnormal test results that may be indicative of undiagnosed cancer. This study allows for the optimization of the cancer recommendations before testing the efficacy in a randomized controlled trial.

Methods<

SUBMITTER: Chima S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9389376 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature