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Research article
Cancer Path in Switzerland: Making the Patient an Ally to Increase Health Outcomes and Quality of Life
Marta Lomazzi
Institute of Global Health, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8460-0059
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background
Prevalence, complexity and costs of cancer care are increasing in Switzerland. Losses in efficiency, resources and inadequate attribution hamper health outcomes. This study investigated possibilities for improvement across the whole cancer path, with a special focus on patients-care provider communication and effective approaches to strengthening interprofessional collaboration.
Methods
Key stakeholders were selected based on their expertise in different areas of the cancer path and were invited to take part in interviews. Subsequently, a DELPHI-like method was applied, followed by two focus groups.
Results
There is a prominent need for collaboration and trans-sectoral action in cancer care, encompassing clinical disciplines, communication strategies and professional attitudes. The necessity and demand for collaboration meets a highly fragmented landscape of cancer in Switzerland with a hierarchical organization of medical care entities and competition.
Conclusions
Pressing developments are happening in the healthcare system given the rising prevalence of some cancers, the demographics of the Swiss population and the growing number of cancer survivors. More fundamental solutions should be developed and implemented to meet patients’ needs and improve health outcomes: Are care providers and patients assuming their responsibilities for change? Will economic interests and power games boycott this change? The article tries to respond.
Keywords
Cancer, patients, communication, multidisciplinarity, competition, Switzerland, health outcomes, quality of life
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Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 1
Posted 28 Sep, 2020
No community comments so far
Review #1 received
Received 02 Nov, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 28 Sep, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 28 Sep, 2020
Editor assigned
On 23 Sep, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 22 Sep, 2020
Editor invited
On 22 Sep, 2020
First submitted
On 07 Sep, 2020
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This preprint is under consideration at BMC Health Services Research. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research article
Cancer Path in Switzerland: Making the Patient an Ally to Increase Health Outcomes and Quality of Life
Marta Lomazzi
Institute of Global Health, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8460-0059
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 1
Posted 28 Sep, 2020
No community comments so far
Review #1 received
Received 02 Nov, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 28 Sep, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 28 Sep, 2020
Editor assigned
On 23 Sep, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 22 Sep, 2020
Editor invited
On 22 Sep, 2020
First submitted
On 07 Sep, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background
Prevalence, complexity and costs of cancer care are increasing in Switzerland. Losses in efficiency, resources and inadequate attribution hamper health outcomes. This study investigated possibilities for improvement across the whole cancer path, with a special focus on patients-care provider communication and effective approaches to strengthening interprofessional collaboration.
Methods
Key stakeholders were selected based on their expertise in different areas of the cancer path and were invited to take part in interviews. Subsequently, a DELPHI-like method was applied, followed by two focus groups.
Results
There is a prominent need for collaboration and trans-sectoral action in cancer care, encompassing clinical disciplines, communication strategies and professional attitudes. The necessity and demand for collaboration meets a highly fragmented landscape of cancer in Switzerland with a hierarchical organization of medical care entities and competition.
Conclusions
Pressing developments are happening in the healthcare system given the rising prevalence of some cancers, the demographics of the Swiss population and the growing number of cancer survivors. More fundamental solutions should be developed and implemented to meet patients’ needs and improve health outcomes: Are care providers and patients assuming their responsibilities for change? Will economic interests and power games boycott this change? The article tries to respond.