title: Challenges in adapting international best practices in cancer prevention, care, and research for Qatar.
abstract: The World Health Organization recommends that all countries develop a cancer control program. Qatar is the first country in the Gulf Cooperation Council to develop such a plan, with its National Cancer Strategy 2011-2016. Three years into implementation, meaningful progress has been made, particularly in reducing patient waiting times, creating a multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment, and fostering international research collaboration. Challenges include attracting sufficient numbers of trained health care workers, reaching a diverse population with messages tailored to their needs, and emphasizing cancer prevention and early detection in addition to research and treatment. Qatar's example shows that best practices developed in North America, Western Europe, and Australasia can be assimilated in a very different demographic and cultural context when such approaches are tailored to local characteristics and circumstances.
authors.affiliation: Peter J. Howitt (p.howitt@imperial.ac.uk) is a policy fellow at the World Innovation Summit for Health, Qatar Foundation, and an honorary fellow at the Centre for Health Policy, Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London, in the United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Howitt
authors.affiliation: Karen Kerr was secretary for the Qatar National Cancer Research Strategy Committee and is secretary for the Qatar Cancer Research Partnership, at Imperial College London.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kerr
authors.affiliation: Hanan Al Kuwari is managing director of Hamad Medical Corporation, in Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: Hanan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Al Kuwari
authors.affiliation: Faleh Mohamed Husain Ali is the assistant secretary general for policy affairs for the Supreme Council of Health, in Doha.
authors.forename: Faleh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mohamed Husain Ali
authors.affiliation: Alexander Knuth is medical director of the National Center for Cancer Care and Research, in Doha.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Knuth
authors.affiliation: Ara Darzi is executive chair of the World Innovation Summit for Health, Qatar Foundation, and director of the Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London.
authors.forename: Ara
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Darzi
mesh_terms: D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011780:Qatar
keywords: Chronic Care; Developed World < International/global health studies; Health Promotion/Disease Prevention; Organization and Delivery of Care; Quality Of Care