title: Implementation and assessment of a fast-track programme to improve communication between primary and specialized care in patients with suspected cancer: how to shorten time between initial symptoms of cancer, diagnosis and initiation of treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to asses a cancer fast-track programme (CFP) to shorten the time since a patient with suspicion of cancer is referred by the primary care (PC) physician to the specialized medical team.
  
  
  METHODS
  Guidelines for main suspected tumours were designed to help PC physicians to detect and rapidly refer cases to the CFP oncology coordinator, who sent them to the appropriate department to accelerate diagnosis, staging and therapy. All patients analysed in this report were referred from June 2009 to July 2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 897 suspected cancer cases were submitted and finally 705 were studied. In 205 (29 %) a cancer diagnosis was confirmed within 23 days (median). Therapy was initiated within 46 days after referral (median). Early diagnoses with a potential curative approach were made in 166 (82 %).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This CFP decreased the waiting time for cancer diagnosis, by improving communication between PC physician and specialized care teams. Most patients included in this program could get therapy with curative intent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Biomedical Research Institute INCLIVA, University of Valencia, "Rio Hortega Project in research training" (CM12/00264), Valencia, Spain, maitemartinez3@yahoo.es.
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tarazona
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roselló
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Saiz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sanmartín
authors.forename: Á
authors.initials: Á
authors.lastname: Martínez-Agulló
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Caballero
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mas
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martínez-Jabaloyas
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: García-Callejo
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Martín
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Navarro
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Teruel
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lluch
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Chirivella
mesh_terms: D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D006284:Health Plan Implementation; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011320:Primary Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D017748:Time Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014850:Waiting Lists
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