Improving Cancer Diagnosis in Alberta, Canada: A Qualitative Study of Emergency Department Healthcare Providers’ Perspectives on Diagnosing Cancer in the Emergency Setting
Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada, with diagnoses increasing annually. In Alberta, many cancer cases are detected in emergency departments, often at advanced stages. Despite the significant role of emergency departments in cancer diagnosis, limited research exists on the experiences of...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Current Oncology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/32/1/5 |
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| author | Anna Pujadas Botey Cassandra Carrier Eddy Lang Paula J. Robson |
| author_facet | Anna Pujadas Botey Cassandra Carrier Eddy Lang Paula J. Robson |
| author_sort | Anna Pujadas Botey |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada, with diagnoses increasing annually. In Alberta, many cancer cases are detected in emergency departments, often at advanced stages. Despite the significant role of emergency departments in cancer diagnosis, limited research exists on the experiences of healthcare providers in this context. This qualitative study aimed to explore the perspectives of physicians and nurses working in emergency departments in Edmonton and Calgary regarding cancer diagnosis. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 physicians and nurses, recruited through convenience and snowball sampling. Data collection continued until thematic saturation was reached. Interviews were analyzed thematically using an inductive, iterative process. Three main themes emerged: the acute care focus of the emergency department, its unsuitability for cancer diagnosis, and the need for systemic improvements to better support patients with suspected cancer. Participants highlighted challenges related to high patient volumes, the emotional burden of delivering cancer diagnoses, and barriers to effective communication and patient interaction in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. The findings suggest the need for systemic reforms, including stronger primary care and improved care coordination, to alleviate pressure on emergency departments and enhance both patient outcomes and healthcare provider well-being. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c9aaf6e309564337a563bca3b1c1e458 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1198-0052 1718-7729 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Current Oncology |
| spelling | doaj-art-c9aaf6e309564337a563bca3b1c1e4582025-01-24T13:28:19ZengMDPI AGCurrent Oncology1198-00521718-77292024-12-01321510.3390/curroncol32010005Improving Cancer Diagnosis in Alberta, Canada: A Qualitative Study of Emergency Department Healthcare Providers’ Perspectives on Diagnosing Cancer in the Emergency SettingAnna Pujadas Botey0Cassandra Carrier1Eddy Lang2Paula J. Robson3Cancer Research & Analytics, Cancer Care Alberta, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB T2N 2T9, CanadaEmergency Department, South Health Campus, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB T3M 1M4, CanadaDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Rockyview General Hospital, Calgary, AB T2V 1P9, CanadaSchool of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, CanadaCancer is the leading cause of death in Canada, with diagnoses increasing annually. In Alberta, many cancer cases are detected in emergency departments, often at advanced stages. Despite the significant role of emergency departments in cancer diagnosis, limited research exists on the experiences of healthcare providers in this context. This qualitative study aimed to explore the perspectives of physicians and nurses working in emergency departments in Edmonton and Calgary regarding cancer diagnosis. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 physicians and nurses, recruited through convenience and snowball sampling. Data collection continued until thematic saturation was reached. Interviews were analyzed thematically using an inductive, iterative process. Three main themes emerged: the acute care focus of the emergency department, its unsuitability for cancer diagnosis, and the need for systemic improvements to better support patients with suspected cancer. Participants highlighted challenges related to high patient volumes, the emotional burden of delivering cancer diagnoses, and barriers to effective communication and patient interaction in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. The findings suggest the need for systemic reforms, including stronger primary care and improved care coordination, to alleviate pressure on emergency departments and enhance both patient outcomes and healthcare provider well-being.https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/32/1/5cancer diagnosiscancer carediagnostic processemergency departmentqualitative researchhealthcare providers’ perspectives |
| spellingShingle | Anna Pujadas Botey Cassandra Carrier Eddy Lang Paula J. Robson Improving Cancer Diagnosis in Alberta, Canada: A Qualitative Study of Emergency Department Healthcare Providers’ Perspectives on Diagnosing Cancer in the Emergency Setting Current Oncology cancer diagnosis cancer care diagnostic process emergency department qualitative research healthcare providers’ perspectives |
| title | Improving Cancer Diagnosis in Alberta, Canada: A Qualitative Study of Emergency Department Healthcare Providers’ Perspectives on Diagnosing Cancer in the Emergency Setting |
| title_full | Improving Cancer Diagnosis in Alberta, Canada: A Qualitative Study of Emergency Department Healthcare Providers’ Perspectives on Diagnosing Cancer in the Emergency Setting |
| title_fullStr | Improving Cancer Diagnosis in Alberta, Canada: A Qualitative Study of Emergency Department Healthcare Providers’ Perspectives on Diagnosing Cancer in the Emergency Setting |
| title_full_unstemmed | Improving Cancer Diagnosis in Alberta, Canada: A Qualitative Study of Emergency Department Healthcare Providers’ Perspectives on Diagnosing Cancer in the Emergency Setting |
| title_short | Improving Cancer Diagnosis in Alberta, Canada: A Qualitative Study of Emergency Department Healthcare Providers’ Perspectives on Diagnosing Cancer in the Emergency Setting |
| title_sort | improving cancer diagnosis in alberta canada a qualitative study of emergency department healthcare providers perspectives on diagnosing cancer in the emergency setting |
| topic | cancer diagnosis cancer care diagnostic process emergency department qualitative research healthcare providers’ perspectives |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1718-7729/32/1/5 |
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