Diagnostic flow for all patients referred with non-specific symptoms of cancer to a diagnostic centre in Denmark: A descriptive study.
| Autor: | Damhus CS; The Centre of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.; The Research Unit for General Practice in Region Zealand, Denmark., Brodersen JB; The Centre of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.; The Research Unit for General Practice in Region Zealand, Denmark.; Department of Community Medicine, General Practice Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway., Nielsen GL; Department of Internal Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark. |
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| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Zdroj: | The European journal of general practice [Eur J Gen Pract] 2024 Dec; Vol. 30 (1), pp. 2296108. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Jan 05. |
| DOI: | 10.1080/13814788.2023.2296108 |
| Abstrakt: | Background: Since 2012, Cancer Patient Pathways for Non-specific Symptoms and Signs of Cancer (NSSC-CPP) have been implemented in Scandinavia and UK. Objectives: This study aimed to describe the diagnostic flow for all patients referred from 1 January to 30 June 2020 to the NSSC-CPP in the Diagnostic Centre in Farsø (DC-F), Denmark. Methods: During the study period, we prospectively recorded information on the diagnostic flow, including: pathway trajectory, symptoms and findings leading to referral, diagnostic procedures and diagnoses at the end of DC Farsø work-up and within 6-months for all patients referred to the NSSC-CPP in DC Farsø using electronic patient files and the Danish National Patient Registry (DNPR). Results: Of the 314 referrals to DC Farsø, 227 had diagnostic work-up in DC Farsø, the remaining were redirected to other CPPs ( n = 11), outpatient clinics ( n = 45) or redirected to general practice ( n = 25). Of total referrals, 25 (8%) received a malignant diagnosis, 20 (6%) a non-malignant but clinically relevant diagnosis with initiation of treatment, 16 (5%) a non-malignant diagnosis but no treatment needed and in 253 (81%) referrals no severe new condition was diagnosed. Two (1%) additional malignancies were diagnosed within a 6-month follow-up period. Conclusion: By tracking all patients referred to the NSSC-CPP in DC Farsø, including those redirected, this is the first study to describe the diagnostic flow for all patients referred to a diagnostic centre in Denmark. This knowledge is important for further organisation and planning of the NSSC-CPP. |
| Databáze: | MEDLINE |
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