Test, evidence, transition projects in Scotland: developing the evidence needed for transition of effective interventions in cancer care from innovation into mainstream practice
-
Published:2023-11-01
Issue:1
Volume:23
Page:
-
ISSN:1471-2407
-
Container-title:BMC Cancer
-
language:en
-
Short-container-title:BMC Cancer
Author:
Gadsby Erica Wirrmann,Brown Carson,Crawford Claire,Dale Glen,Duncan Edward,Galbraith Linda,Gold Karen,Hibberd Carina,McFarland Agi,McGlashan Jennifer,McInnes Melanie,McNaughton Joanne,Murray Juliette,Radin Esme,Teodorowski Piotr,Thomson Jane
Abstract
Abstract
Background
A robust evidence base is required to assist healthcare commissioners and providers in selecting effective and sustainable approaches to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment. Such evidence can be difficult to build, given the fast-paced and highly pressured nature of healthcare delivery, the absence of incentives, and the presence of barriers in conducting pragmatic yet robust research evaluations. Cancer Research UK (CRUK) has played an active part in building the evidence base through its funding of programmes to identify, evaluate and scale-up innovative approaches across the UK. The aim of this paper is to describe and explain the research design and intended approach and activities for two cancer services improvement projects in Scotland funded by CRUK.
Methods
A hybrid effectiveness-implementation study design will assess both the efficiency of the new pathways and their implementation strategies, with the aim of generating knowledge for scale-up. A range of implementation, service and clinical outcomes will be assessed as determined by the projects’ Theories of Change (ToCs). A naturalistic case study approach will enable in-depth exploration of context and process, and the collection and synthesis of data from multiple sources including routine datasets, patient and staff surveys, in-depth interviews and observational and other data. The evaluations are informed throughout by a patient/public representatives’ group, and by small group discussions with volunteer cancer patients.
Discussion
Our approach has been designed to provide a holistic understanding of how (well) the improvement projects work (in relation to their anticipated outcomes), and how they interact with their wider contexts. The evaluations will help identify barriers, facilitators, and unanticipated consequences that can impact scalability, sustainability and spread. By opting for a pragmatic, participatory evaluation research design, we hope to inform strategies for scaling up successful innovations while addressing challenges in a targeted manner.
Funder
Cancer Research UK
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Cancer Research,Genetics,Oncology
Reference34 articles.
1. NHS England. Cancer Waiting Times Annual Reports. 2023.
2. Public Health Scotland. Cancer waiting times. 2023.
3. Department of Health Northern Ireland. Cancer waiting times. 2023.
4. Welsh Government. NHS Cancer waiting times: April 2005 to June 2023. 2023.
5. Pilleron S, Soto-Perez‐de‐Celis E, Vignat J, et al. Estimated global cancer incidence in the oldest adults in 2018 and projections to 2050. Int J Cancer. 2021;148:601–8. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.33232.