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Cancer Patient Pathways shortens waiting times and accelerates the diagnostic process of suspected sarcoma patients in Denmark

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  • Dyrop, Heidi Buvarp
  • Safwat, Akmal
  • Vedsted, Peter
  • Maretty-Nielsen, Katja
  • Hansen, Bjarne Hauge
  • Jørgensen, Peter Holmberg
  • Baad-Hansen, Thomas
  • Bünger, Cody
  • Keller, Johnny

Abstract

Cancer Patient Pathways (CPPs) for suspected cancer were implemented in Denmark to reduce waiting times for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Our study describes developments in time intervals and tumour size in a natural experiment before and after implementation of the CPP for sarcomas (January 1st, 2009). Medical files for patients referred with suspected sarcoma from other hospitals to Aarhus Sarcoma Centre during 2007–2010 (n=1126) were reviewed for data on milestones, time intervals, performed diagnostics, and tumour size. Results showed a statistically significant reduction in median number of work days in the phase “referral to first appointment” for all patients. For bone sarcomas, median time was significantly reduced from 11 to five work days in the phase “first appointment to decision of treatment”, for soft tissue sarcomas it was reduced from 28 to 18 work days in the phase “referral to start of treatment”. Passive waiting time was reduced, and delays in the fast-track programme were caused mostly by supplementary diagnostics. Median tumour size for soft tissue sarcomas was reduced from 7.0 to 4.9cm, possibly a secondary effect of increased awareness. CPPs have accelerated the diagnostic process for sarcomas, and our results may aid international development of similar initiatives.

Suggested Citation

  • Dyrop, Heidi Buvarp & Safwat, Akmal & Vedsted, Peter & Maretty-Nielsen, Katja & Hansen, Bjarne Hauge & Jørgensen, Peter Holmberg & Baad-Hansen, Thomas & Bünger, Cody & Keller, Johnny, 2013. "Cancer Patient Pathways shortens waiting times and accelerates the diagnostic process of suspected sarcoma patients in Denmark," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 113(1), pages 110-117.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:hepoli:v:113:y:2013:i:1:p:110-117
    DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2013.09.012
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Probst, Helene Bilsted & Hussain, Zubair Butt & Andersen, Ole, 2012. "Cancer patient pathways in Denmark as a joint effort between bureaucrats, health professionals and politicians—A national Danish project," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 105(1), pages 65-70.
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