2026-04-29T04:09:43Zhttps://repisalud.isciii.es/rest/oai/request
oai:repisalud.isciii.es:20.500.12105/228702024-11-28T20:23:37Zcom_20.500.12105_15322com_20.500.12105_2051col_20.500.12105_16967
Repisalud author Harris, Michael author Brekke, Mette author Dinant, Geert-Jan author Esteva Cantó, Magdalena author Hoffman, Robert author Marzo-Castillejo, Merce author Murchie, Peter author Neves, Ana Luisa author Smyrnakis, Emmanouil author Vedsted, Peter author Aubin-Auger, Isabelle author Azuri, Joseph author Buczkowski, Krzysztof author Buono, Nicola author Foreva, Gergana author Babic, Svjetlana Gasparovic author Jacob, Eva author Koskela, Tuomas author Petek, Davorina author Ster, Marija Petek author Puia, Aida author Sawicka-Powierza, Jolanta author Streit, Sven author Thulesius, Hans author Weltermann, Birgitta author Taylor, Gordon 2024-09-13T09:11:46Z 2024-09-13T09:11:46Z 2020 Harris M, Brekke M, Dinant GJ, Esteva M, Hoffman R, Marzo-Castillejo M, et al. Primary care practitioners' diagnostic action when the patient may have cancer: an exploratory vignette study in 20 European countries. BMJ Open. 2020;10(10):e035678. 2044-6055 http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13003/17132 https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12105/22870 33130560 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035678 BMJ Open 2-s2.0-85095401338 608043900006 L633318389 Objectives Cancer survival rates vary widely between European countries, with differences in timeliness of diagnosis thought to be one key reason. There is little evidence on the way in which different healthcare systems influence primary care practitioners' (PCPs) referral decisions in patients who could have cancer. This study aimed to explore PCPs' diagnostic actions (whether or not they perform a key diagnostic test and/or refer to a specialist) in patients with symptoms that could be due to cancer and how they vary across European countries. Design A primary care survey. PCPs were given vignettes describing patients with symptoms that could indicate cancer and asked how they would manage these patients. The likelihood of taking immediate diagnostic action (a diagnostic test and/or referral) in the different participating countries was analysed. Comparisons between the likelihood of taking immediate diagnostic action and physician characteristics were calculated. Setting Centres in 20 European countries with widely varying cancer survival rates. ParticipantsA total of 2086 PCPs answered the survey question, with a median of 72 PCPs per country. Results PCPs' likelihood of immediate diagnostic action at the first consultation varied from 50% to 82% between countries. PCPs who were more experienced were more likely to take immediate diagnostic action than their peers. Conclusion When given vignettes of patients with a low but significant possibility of cancer, more than half of PCPs across Europe would take diagnostic action, most often by ordering diagnostic tests. However, there are substantial between-country variations. eng International health services Adult oncology Primary care Primary care practitioners' diagnostic action when the patient may have cancer: an exploratory vignette study in 20 European countries research article