Patient and professional perspectives on suspected cancer referrals
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Patient and professional perspectives on suspected cancer referrals: identifying the barriers and facilitators
IRAS ID
248016
Contact name
Thomas Round
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 2 days
Research summary
This research aims to understand patient, professional and system influences on potential delays to cancer diagnosis within urgent suspected cancer referral pathways. This work will be used to develop ideas for tools to improve the earlier diagnosis of cancer. This is of importance to patients and the public as delayed cancer diagnosis is associated with increased mortality.
Concerns about delays in cancer diagnosis led to the implementation of urgent cancer referral pathways, which specify that a patient should be seen (or have a diagnostic test) within two weeks (i.e. two-week wait; TWW). Evidence suggests that the time to diagnosis and treatment was reduced for patients on this pathway. However, use of this pathway varies between primary care practices, with potential impacts on earlier diagnosis and mortality. Therefore, it is important to explore reasons for variation in use of these pathways and identify experiences of the patients and healthcare professional (HCP)using the TWW.
This study will carry out one-to-one semi-structured interviews with HCPs involved in making referrals (i.e. GPs), as well as those diagnosing and treating referred patients (i.e. Consultants in secondary care). Also, a small number of focus groups within primary care practices will take place. This study will help to better understand variation in use of referral and utility of this pathway for reducing delays to cancer diagnosis. Patients attending TWW clinics will also be invited to participate in an interview, exploring experience of the referral as well as potential factors that may have delayed referral. Interviews will always be conducted in a location convenient for the participant (including in the patient home/over the phone/at HCPs place of work). Recruitment and interviews will be carried out over a period of up to one year.
REC name
London - South East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/1940
Date of REC Opinion
29 Nov 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion