The time from suspicion to diagnosis is a complex and important phase of the cancer journey. It is characterized by the need for many tests and consultations, and often creates much anxiety and stress for patients and their families.
What are we doing to improve the diagnostic phase of the cancer journey?
We support development and implementation of Diagnostic Assessment Programs (DAPs) throughout Ontario.
What is a diagnostic assessment program (DAP)?
It’s a single point of access for diagnostic services. DAPs:
-
concentrate and coordinate diagnostic services
-
provide information and support to patients throughout the process
-
help family doctors get access to diagnostic tests for their patients, test results and patient information
What are the goals of DAPs?
-
to improve the coordination of care
-
to decrease wait times
-
to improve the patient experience
-
to minimize disease progression where possible
DAPs around the world
We conducted an environmental scan to find out how common DAPs are around the globe. Ontario has started to create DAPs in some regions for a few types of cancer. A few other provinces and countries have some DAPs, but they are not yet widely used. We are learning from work that has been done in the UK, where DAPs are common.
Pilot projects
To encourage local innovation, in 2008 Cancer Care Ontario funded four pilot projects to streamline diagnostic assessment services. These projects tested different approaches, such as one-stop diagnostic assessment units and virtual diagnostic assessment units.
Read more about the organized diagnostic assessment pilot projects
.
The lessons we have learned through this work are being used to develop models that can be used by centres across Ontario to develop more effective DAPs. The work is intended to help patients more effectively navigate through this portion of the cancer journey.
|