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Geary U, McKee M, Petty-Saphon K. Mind the implementation gap: a systems analysis of the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan to increase the number of doctors trained in the UK raises many questions. Br Med Bull 2024; 150:1-10. [PMID: 38342988 PMCID: PMC11180547 DOI: 10.1093/bmb/ldae002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The National Health Service (NHS) in England is facing a workforce crisis. A new Long Term Workforce Plan (LTWP) seeks to address this, setting out ambitious proposals to expand and reform domestic medical education and training in England. However, there are concerns about their feasibility. SOURCES OF DATA In September 2023, over 60 individuals representing medical education and training in the UK participated in an exercise run by UK Medical Schools Council by using systems theory to identify risks. AREAS OF AGREEMENT The UK does need more 'home grown' doctors, but the LTWP has important gaps, including lack of attention to postgraduate training, absence of reference to the need for more educators and capital investment and risk of inadequate clinical placement capacity, particularly in primary care settings. AREAS OF CONTROVERSY There are unresolved differences in the understanding of a proposed medical apprenticeship model and no scheme has, as yet, been approved by the General Medical Council. Participants were unable to determine who the beneficiaries of this scheme will be (apart from the apprentices themselves). GROWING POINTS While the LTWP represents a welcome, although overdue, commitment to address the NHS workforce crisis, we identified significant gaps that must be resolved. AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH First, the development of the LTWP provides a case study that adds to literature on policymaking in the UK. Second, while we only examined the expansion of medical training, the method could be applied to other parts of the LTWP. Third, a prospective evaluation of its implementation is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Una Geary
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Martin McKee
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Katie Petty-Saphon
- Medical Schools Council, Woburn House, 20 Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9HD, UK
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Zielonke N, Senore C, Ponti A, Csanadi M, de Koning HJ, Heijnsdijk EAM, van Ravesteyn NT. Overcoming barriers: Modelling the effect of potential future changes of organized breast cancer screening in Italy. J Med Screen 2023; 30:134-141. [PMID: 36762395 PMCID: PMC10399099 DOI: 10.1177/09691413231153568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Organized breast cancer screening may not achieve its full potential due to organizational and cultural barriers. In Italy, two identified barriers were low attendance in Southern Italy and, in Italy as a whole, underscreening and overscreening in parts of the eligible population. The objective of this study was to identify potential changes to overcome these barriers and to quantify their costs and effects. METHODS To assess the impact of potential measures to improve breast cancer screening in Italy, we performed an evaluation of costs and effects for increasing adherence for Southern Italy and harmonizing screening intervals (biennial screening) for the whole of Italy, using an online tool (EU-TOPIA evaluation tool) based on the MIcrosimulation SCreening ANalysis (MISCAN) model. RESULTS Increasing adherence in Southern Italy through investing in mobile screening units has an acceptable cost-effectiveness ratio of €9531 per quality-adjusted life year gained. Harmonizing the screening interval by investing in measures to reduce opportunistic screening and simultaneously investing in mobile screening units to reduce underscreening is predicted to gain 1% fewer life-years, while saving 19% of total screening costs compared to the current situation. CONCLUSIONS Increasing adherence in Southern Italy and harmonizing the screening interval could result in substantial improvements at acceptable costs, or in the same benefits at lower costs. This example illustrates a systematic approach that can be easily applied to other European countries, as the online tools can be used by stakeholders to quantify effects and costs of a broad range of specific barriers, and ways to overcome them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Zielonke
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Carlo Senore
- Epidemiology and screening Unit – CPO, University Hospital Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | - Antonio Ponti
- Epidemiology and screening Unit – CPO, University Hospital Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Harry J de Koning
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eveline A M Heijnsdijk
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nicolien T van Ravesteyn
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Albers B, Auer R, Caci L, Nyantakyi E, Plys E, Podmore C, Riegel F, Selby K, Walder J, Clack L. Implementing organized colorectal cancer screening programs in Europe-protocol for a systematic review of determinants and strategies. Syst Rev 2023; 12:26. [PMID: 36849979 PMCID: PMC9969690 DOI: 10.1186/s13643-023-02193-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With a high mortality of 12.6% of all cancer cases, colorectal cancer (CRC) accounts for substantial burden of disease in Europe. In the past decade, more and more countries have introduced organized colorectal cancer screening programs, making systematic screening available to entire segments of a population, typically based on routine stool tests and/or colonoscopy. While the effectiveness of organized screening in reducing CRC incidence and mortality has been confirmed, studies continuously report persistent program implementation challenges. This systematic review will synthesize the literature on organized CRC screening programs. Its aim is to understand what is currently known about the barriers and facilitators that influence the implementation of these programs and about the implementation strategies used to navigate these determinants. METHODS A systematic review of primary studies of any research design will be conducted. CENTRAL, CINAHL, EMBASE, International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Scopus will be searched. Websites of (non-)government health care organizations and websites of organizations affiliated with authors of included studies will be screened for unpublished evaluation reports. Existing organized CRC screening programs will be contacted with a request to share program-specific grey literature. Two researchers will independently screen each publication in two rounds for eligibility. Included studies will focus on adult populations involved in the implementation of organized CRC screening programs and contain information about implementation determinants/ strategies. Publications will be assessed for their risk of bias. Data extraction will include study aim, design, location, setting, sample, methods, and measures; program characteristics; implementation stage, framework, determinants, strategies, and outcomes; and service and other outcome information. Findings will be synthesized narratively using the three stages of thematic synthesis. DISCUSSION With its sole focus on the implementation of organized CRC screening programs, this review will help to fill a central knowledge gap in the literature on colorectal cancer screening. Its findings can inform the decision-making in policy and practice needed to prioritize resources for establishing new and maintaining existing programs in the future. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO (CRD42022306580).
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Albers
- Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care (IfIS), Medical Faculty, University of Zurich, Universitätstrasse 84, 8006, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Reto Auer
- Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern, Mittelstrasse 43, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Laura Caci
- Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care (IfIS), Medical Faculty, University of Zurich, Universitätstrasse 84, 8006, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Emanuela Nyantakyi
- Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care (IfIS), Medical Faculty, University of Zurich, Universitätstrasse 84, 8006, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ekaterina Plys
- Center for primary care and public health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Rue de Bugnon 44, 1010, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Clara Podmore
- Center for primary care and public health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Rue de Bugnon 44, 1010, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Franziska Riegel
- Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care (IfIS), Medical Faculty, University of Zurich, Universitätstrasse 84, 8006, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kevin Selby
- Center for primary care and public health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Rue de Bugnon 44, 1010, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Joel Walder
- Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care (IfIS), Medical Faculty, University of Zurich, Universitätstrasse 84, 8006, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lauren Clack
- Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care (IfIS), Medical Faculty, University of Zurich, Universitätstrasse 84, 8006, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
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Mwenda V, Bor J, Gitungo H, Kirika L, Njoroge R, Mugi B, Ojuka D, Nyangasi M. Breast health awareness campaign and screening pilot in a Kenyan County: Findings and lessons. Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2022; 5:e1480. [PMID: 34235881 PMCID: PMC8955074 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Breast cancer is the leading cancer in terms of incidence in Kenya. We conducted a breast cancer awareness and screening pilot to assess feasibility of rolling out a national screening program in Kenya. METHODS Conducted in Nyeri County during October-November 2019, the pilot had three phases; awareness creation, screening (clinical breast examination and/or imaging) and final evaluation (post-screening exit interviews and retrospective screening data review). Descriptive statistics on awareness, screening process and outputs were derived. RESULTS During the pilot, 1813 CBE, 217 breast ultrasounds and 600 mammograms were performed. Mammography equipment utilization increased from 11% to 83%. Of 49 women with suspicious lesions on mammography, only 22 (44.9%) had been linked to care 4 months after the campaign. Of 532 exit interview respondents; 95% (505/532) were ≥35 years of age; 80% (426/532) had been reached by the awareness campaign. Majority (75% [399/532]) had received information from community health volunteers; 68% through social groups. Majority (79% [420/532]) felt the campaign had changed their behavior on breast health. Although 77% (407/532) had knowledge on self breast examination (SBE); only 13% practiced monthly SBE. More than half (58% [306/532]) had previously undertaken a CBE. Approximately 70% (375/528) were unaware of mammography before the pilot; 86% (459/532) had never previously undertaken a mammogram. Fifty-five percent (293/532) of respondents had screening waiting times of >120 min. CONCLUSION Community health workers can create breast cancer screening demand sustainably. Adequate personnel and effective follow-up are crucial before national roll-out of a breast cancer screening program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerian Mwenda
- National Cancer Control ProgramMinistry of HealthNairobiKenya
| | - Joan‐Paula Bor
- National Cancer Control ProgramMinistry of HealthNairobiKenya
| | - Hannah Gitungo
- National Cancer Control ProgramMinistry of HealthNairobiKenya
| | - Lydia Kirika
- National Cancer Control ProgramMinistry of HealthNairobiKenya
| | - Richard Njoroge
- National Cancer Control ProgramMinistry of HealthNairobiKenya
| | - Beatrice Mugi
- Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging DepartmentKenyatta National HospitalNairobiKenya
| | - Daniel Ojuka
- Department of SurgeryUniversity of NairobiNairobiKenya
| | - Mary Nyangasi
- National Cancer Control ProgramMinistry of HealthNairobiKenya
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Jarm K, Kadivec M, Šval C, Hertl K, Primic Žakelj M, Dean PB, von Karsa L, Žgajnar J, Gazić B, Kutnar V, Zdešar U, Kurir Borovčić M, Zadnik V, Josipović I, Krajc M. Quality assured implementation of the Slovenian breast cancer screening programme. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0258343. [PMID: 34624045 PMCID: PMC8500434 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
SETTING The organised, population-based breast cancer screening programme in Slovenia began providing biennial mammography screening for women aged 50-69 in 2008. The programme has taken a comprehensive approach to quality assurance as recommended by the European guidelines for quality assurance in breast cancer screening and diagnosis (4th edition), including centralized assessment, training and supervision, and proactive monitoring of performance indicators. This report describes the progress of implementation and rollout from 2003 through 2019. METHODS The screening protocol and key quality assurance procedures initiated during the planning from 2003 and rollout from 2008 of the screening programme, including training of the professional staff, are described. The organisational structure, gradual geographical rollout, and coverage by invitation and examination are presented. RESULTS The nationwide programme was up and running in all screening regions by the end of 2017, at which time the nationwide coverage by invitation and examination had reached 70% and 50%, respectively. Nationwide rollout of the population-based programme was complete by the end of 2019. By this time, coverage by invitation and examination had reached 98% and 76%, respectively. The participation rates consistently exceeded 70% from 2014 to 2019. CONCLUSIONS The successful implementation of the screening programme can be attributed to an independent central management, external guidance, and strict adherence to quality assurance procedures, all of which contributed to increasing governmental and popular support. The benefits of quality assurance have influenced all aspects of breast care and have provided a successful model for multidisciplinary management of other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Jarm
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Cveto Šval
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | | | - Peter B. Dean
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Formerly at the International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
| | - Lawrence von Karsa
- Formerly at the International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
| | - Janez Žgajnar
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Barbara Gazić
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Urban Zdešar
- Institute of Occupational Safety, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Vesna Zadnik
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Mateja Krajc
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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A roadmap for a comprehensive control of cervical cancer in Poland: integration of available solutions into current practice in primary and secondary prevention. Eur J Cancer Prev 2021; 29:157-164. [PMID: 31517672 PMCID: PMC7012359 DOI: 10.1097/cej.0000000000000528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In Poland, cervical cancer incidence and mortality still remain considerably higher than in Western European countries or North America. Recent data indicate decreasing trends in women younger than 60 years and stable trends in older women. In this article, we identified obstacles in primary and secondary prevention of cervical cancer in Poland. We analysed local legislation, management structure and organization of cervical cancer prevention in Poland and reviewed solutions available and implemented in other European countries. The main weaknesses include: (i) very low coverage of organized screening; concurrent unregistered opportunistic screening with unknown coverage and high test consumption (ii) suboptimal quality assurance in organized screening and no external quality assurance in opportunistic screening (iii) very low coverage of human papillomavirus vaccination that is not centrally reimbursed (iv) absence of pilot evaluation of (a) interventions that may improve population coverage and (b) performance of new preventive strategies. The proposed solutions are multifaceted and involve: (i) legislative and organizational regulation of cervical cancer screening aimed at comprehensive registration of procedures, data access and quality assurance (ii) pilot testing and implementation of new ways to increase coverage of cervical cancer screening, in particular among older women (iii) pilot evaluation with possible introduction of human papillomavirus-based screening and (iv) inclusion of human papillomavirus vaccination into the reimbursed national immunization program.
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Zielonke N, Kregting LM, Heijnsdijk EAM, Veerus P, Heinävaara S, McKee M, de Kok IMCM, de Koning HJ, van Ravesteyn NT. The potential of breast cancer screening in Europe. Int J Cancer 2020; 148:406-418. [PMID: 32683673 PMCID: PMC7754503 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Currently, all European countries offer some form of breast cancer screening. Nevertheless, disparities exist in the status of implementation, attendance and the extent of opportunistic screening. As a result, breast cancer screening has not yet reached its full potential. We examined how many breast cancer deaths could be prevented if all European countries would biennially screen all women aged 50 to 69 for breast cancer. We calculated the number of breast cancer deaths already prevented due to screening as well as the number of breast cancer deaths which could be additionally prevented if the total examination coverage (organised plus opportunistic) would reach 100%. The calculations are based on total examination coverage in women aged 50 to 69, the annual number of breast cancer deaths for women aged 50 to 74 and the maximal possible mortality reduction from breast cancer, assuming similar effectiveness of organised and opportunistic screening. The total examination coverage ranged from 49% (East), 62% (West), 64% (North) to 69% (South). Yearly 21 680 breast cancer deaths have already been prevented due to mammography screening. If all countries would reach 100% examination coverage, 12 434 additional breast cancer deaths could be prevented annually, with the biggest potential in Eastern Europe. With maximum coverage, 23% of their breast cancer deaths could be additionally prevented, while in Western Europe it could be 21%, in Southern Europe 15% and in Northern Europe 9%. Our study illustrates that by further optimising screening coverage, the number of breast cancer deaths in Europe can be lowered substantially.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Zielonke
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lindy M Kregting
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eveline A M Heijnsdijk
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Piret Veerus
- National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia
| | | | - Martin McKee
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Inge M C M de Kok
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Harry J de Koning
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nicolien T van Ravesteyn
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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- The EU-TOPIA collaborators are listed in the Appendix
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Kaminski MF, Robertson DJ, Senore C, Rex DK. Optimizing the Quality of Colorectal Cancer Screening Worldwide. Gastroenterology 2020; 158:404-417. [PMID: 31759062 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2019.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Screening, followed by colonoscopic polypectomy (or surgery for malignant lesions), prevents incident colorectal cancer and mortality. However, there are variations in effective application of nearly every aspect of the screening process. Screening is a multistep process, and failure in any single step could result in unnecessary morbidity and mortality. Awareness of variations in operator- and system-dependent performance has led to detailed, comprehensive recommendations in the United States and Europe on how colonoscopy screening should be performed and measured. Likewise, guidance has been provided on quality assurance for nonprimary colonoscopy-based screening programs, including strategies to maximize adherence. Quality improvement is now a validated science, and there is clear evidence that higher quality prevents incident cancer and cancer death. Quality must be addressed at the levels of the system, provider, and individuals, to maximize the benefits of screening for any population. We review the important aspects of measuring and improving the quality of colorectal cancer screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Kaminski
- Department of Gastroenterological Oncology, the Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland; Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Oncology, Medical Center for Postgraduate Education, Warsaw, Poland; Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Douglas J Robertson
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, White River Junction, Vermont; The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and The Dartmouth Institute, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Carlo Senore
- Epidemiology and Screening Unit-CPO, University Hospital Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | - Douglas K Rex
- Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana.
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