Diagnostic center for primary care patients with nonspecific symptoms and suspected cancer: compliance to workflow and accuracy of tests and examinations.

Objective: To evaluate compliance to workflow and accuracy of tests in Sweden's first fast-track referral pathway for patients with nonspecific symptoms and suspected cancer (SCAN).

Design: Prospective cohort study with consecutive inclusion of patients referred to the diagnostic center (DC).

Setting: Patients with nonspecific symptoms were examined in primary care according to a protocol including two test packages and diagnostic imaging.

Time Intervals Under the Lens at Sweden's First Diagnostic Center for Primary Care Patients With Nonspecific Symptoms of Cancer. A Comparison With Matched Control Patients.

Introduction: Fast-track referral pathways for patients with nonspecific, serious symptoms have been implemented in several countries. Our objective was to analyze time intervals in the diagnostic routes of patients diagnosed with cancer at Sweden's first Diagnostic Center (DC) for nonspecific symptoms and compare with time intervals of matched control patients.

Methods: Adult patients with nonspecific symptoms that could not be explained by an initial investigation in primary care were eligible for referral to the DC.

[Early experience from concentration of cancer care in Sweden].

Based on an agreement between the Swedish Government and the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions, the Confederation of Regional Cancer Centers was assigned to promote national concentration of highly specialised cancer care. From 2014 to 2018, concentration was implemented regarding treatments in ten different areas. It's too early to evaluate the medical results, but early experience indicates an increased consolidation of care, improved cooperation at the national level, establishment of national multiprofessional conferences and increased adherence to the national guidelines.

Diagnostic spectrum and time intervals in Sweden's first diagnostic center for patients with nonspecific symptoms of cancer.

Background: Fast-track referral is an increasingly used method for diagnostic evaluation of patients suspected of having cancer. This approach is challenging and not used as often for patients with only nonspecific symptoms. In order to expedite the diagnostics for these patients, we established Sweden's first Diagnostic Center (DC) focusing on outcomes related to diagnoses and diagnostic time intervals.

A randomized comparison between league tables and funnel plots to inform health care decision-making.

Objective: Comparison of provider performance is commonly used to inform health care decision-making. Little attention has been paid to how data presentations influence decisions. This study analyzes differences in suggested actions by decision-makers informed by league tables or funnel plots.