Publications by authors named "Liina Pilv-Toom"
Objective: Relative one-year cancer survival rates in the Baltic states are lower than the European mean; in the Nordic countries they are higher than the mean. This study investigated the likelihood of General Practitioners (GPs) investigating or referring patients with a low but significant risk of cancer in these two regions, and how this was affected by GP demographics.
Design: A survey of GPs using clinical vignettes.
Article Synopsis
- Early detection of cancer is crucial, but vague symptoms can lead to delays in diagnosis, highlighting the need for improved empowerment of GPs.
- A Delphi study with 53 GPs from 20 European countries identified 12 key factors that could help GPs make earlier cancer diagnoses, focusing on screening methods, the primary-secondary care relationship, and information technology.
- The study suggests that addressing these system-level factors is essential for GPs to enhance their capabilities, ultimately leading to more timely cancer diagnoses and better patient outcomes.