Download - University of Lincoln

Cancer Research Early Diagnosis Research Conference:
ECR Pechakucha presentation: 23-24 Feb 2017
Exploring patient and practitioner perspectives of QCancer use
in primary care consultations
Joseph Akanuwe PhD Student, Community and Health
Research Unit, University of Lincoln
Introduction
• QCancer is a novel cancer risk assessment tool
that combines risk factors and symptoms to
estimate an individual’s risk of developing
cancer within two years
Rationale for the study:
Evidence on the views of service users and
practitioners on the use of QCancer in primary
care consultation is limited
Methods
Qualitative design:
• Individual and focus group interviews with service
users from the general public and practitioners
from general practices in Lincolnshire
Analysis:
• The qualitative data were transcribed verbatim
and analysed using the framework approach
Results
36 participants interviewed:
• 19 service users (aged 21-71 years)
• 17 practitioners (aged 33 - 55 years)
4 key themes:
• Implications of quantifying risk using QCancer
• Usefulness of QCancer in consultations
• Communicating cancer risk to patients
• Potential challenges to the uptake of QCancer in
consultations
Implications of quantifying cancer risk using
QCancer
• Potential conflict with current cancer guidelines
• High risk symptoms need referral for further
investigation whatever the quantified risk
Use of QCancer in consultations
• Quantifying cancer risk
• Supporting decision-making
• Identifying, raising awareness of and modifying
health behaviours
• Improving processes and speed of assessment
and treatment
• Personalising care
Communicating cancer risk to patients
• Tailoring visual representation of risk
• Openness and honesty
• Informing and involving patients in the use of
QCancer
• Providing time for listening, informing, explaining
and reassuring in the context of a professional
approach
Challenges to uptake of QCancer primary
care
• Additional time required
• Unnecessary worry/anxiety generated by cancer
investigations
• Potential for over-referral
• Practitioner scepticism about using the tool
• Need
for
evidence
of
effectiveness
before
introducing QCancer in patient consultations
Conclusion
• QCancer will help in: quantifying risk; clinical
decisions etc
• Communication needs of users and potential
barriers for both users and practitioners should be
considered in implementing QCancer
• Further research is needed to assess
effectiveness on health outcomes