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"Systematic
review of patient-mediated delay in presentation of cancer and
provider-mediated delay and variation in onward referral for treatment" |
Project aims and objectives Patient delay in responding to symptoms of cancer may
be associated with later stage of disease at presentation and shorter
overall survival. Equally, delays and variations in onward referral by
health professionals for treatment may prejudice survival. It is now
timely to undertake a systematic critical review of the literature in this
area. Data will be sought on the extent of patient-mediated delay in
initial presentation and provider-mediated delay and variation in onward
referral for treatment. Evidence for the influence of socio-demographic
factors on delay and survival will be collated. Similarly information on
why patient delays occur in terms of the influence of psychosocial factors
and nature of symptoms, will be evaluated. Reasons for provider-mediated
delays and variations in onward referral for treatment will be reviewed.
Evidence regarding the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of strategies
to reduce patient and provider-mediated delays and provider-mediated
variations in onward referral will be evaluated. It is expected that the
review will result in recommendations for further research and development
initiatives to reduce mortality and morbidity from cancer in patients
presenting with symptomatic disease by reducing both patient delays in the
instigation of treatment and provider delays and variation in onward
referral. Publications Ramirez AJ, Westcombe AM, Burgess CC, Sutton S, Littlejohns P, Richards MA. Factors predicting delayed presentation of symptomatic breast cancer: a systematic review. Lancet 1999;353:1127-1131 Further information may be
obtained from: Phone: 0171 960 5734 |
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