The impact of the introduction of a fast track clinic on ovarian cancer referral patterns.
Eur J Cancer Care (Engl)
; 12(4): 327-30, 2003 Dec.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-14982311
The aim of this study is to review the referral patterns for ovarian cancer in the Grampian region of Scotland and assess the impact of a 'fast track' clinic on the patient journey. Population-based retrospective analysis of a gynaecological cancer database and patient case notes were used. After its inception, 13.5% of patients were referred through the fast track clinic and 83% were seen within 2 weeks. Thirty-six per cent of patients were admitted as emergencies, mainly surgical or medical. The median general practitioner-to-specialist time was 3 days (range 0-188 days). The median time to diagnosis prior to the fast track clinic was 23 days and 17.5 days after its introduction (P = 0.003). A population-based ovarian cancer referral pattern is presented. Median waiting times are short but do influence time to diagnosis as do referral through a non-cancer specialty and patient performance status. Rapid access through a gynae-oncology clinic has some impact but is underused.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Ovarian Neoplasms
/
Practice Patterns, Physicians'
/
Family Practice
/
Health Services Accessibility
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
Aspects:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
En
Journal:
Eur J Cancer Care (Engl)
Journal subject:
ENFERMAGEM
/
NEOPLASIAS
Year:
2003
Document type:
Article
Country of publication:
Reino Unido