Project Details
Description
Reorganization of cancer care and treatment in Denmark has improved survival for typical cancer
patients. However, patients with pre-existing mental illness (PMI) have not seen these benefits,
prompting calls for better support and coordination of their cancer treatment. While research indicates
several factors contributing lower survival, organizational factors are rarely investigated. Moreover,
existing studies mainly focus on diagnostic delays with less attention to cancer treatment, and to
reasons for lacking guideline adherence or treatment delays for patients with PMI. A call for more
qualitative studies have been made.
The project will use ethnographic field studies and large-scale qualitative interview designs to explore
the organizational challenges of treating cancer in PMI patients, identify best practices and developing
strategies for improving health organization design.
Each of the sub-projects will deliver cancer relevant research that has not earlier been undertaken . SP1
ethnographically investigates cancer treatment trajectories of mentally ill patients over time by observing
and mapping contacts with different parts of the health systems, and by interviewing patients and the
professionals they meet. An in-depth patient journey mapping for this patient group has never been
conducted before. SP2 is the first large-scale qualitative interview study of professionals (surgeons,
oncologists, and ambulatory and oncology nurses) about the complex challenges of organizing cancer
treatment for patients with PMI. SP3 is the first study to focus on the roles and support-functions of
relatives to patient with concurrent mental illness and cancer by interviewing patients and their close
relatives.
Together, SP1-3 will together address knowledge gaps related to how standardization, sub-specialization
and centralization of cancer treatment affect patient-centeredness and treatment consistency for less
mobile patients, and how expectations of patient involvement pose difficulties for patients with PMI.
Both inefficiencies and best practices will be identified.
Based on the findings of SP1-3, SP4 will develop more effective organizational designs through codesign
workshops with project collaborators, stakeholders and patients. A steering group consisting of
patient ambassadors, representatives from patient and professional associations, and public policy
makers will guide research and help design and disseminate solutions.
patients. However, patients with pre-existing mental illness (PMI) have not seen these benefits,
prompting calls for better support and coordination of their cancer treatment. While research indicates
several factors contributing lower survival, organizational factors are rarely investigated. Moreover,
existing studies mainly focus on diagnostic delays with less attention to cancer treatment, and to
reasons for lacking guideline adherence or treatment delays for patients with PMI. A call for more
qualitative studies have been made.
The project will use ethnographic field studies and large-scale qualitative interview designs to explore
the organizational challenges of treating cancer in PMI patients, identify best practices and developing
strategies for improving health organization design.
Each of the sub-projects will deliver cancer relevant research that has not earlier been undertaken . SP1
ethnographically investigates cancer treatment trajectories of mentally ill patients over time by observing
and mapping contacts with different parts of the health systems, and by interviewing patients and the
professionals they meet. An in-depth patient journey mapping for this patient group has never been
conducted before. SP2 is the first large-scale qualitative interview study of professionals (surgeons,
oncologists, and ambulatory and oncology nurses) about the complex challenges of organizing cancer
treatment for patients with PMI. SP3 is the first study to focus on the roles and support-functions of
relatives to patient with concurrent mental illness and cancer by interviewing patients and their close
relatives.
Together, SP1-3 will together address knowledge gaps related to how standardization, sub-specialization
and centralization of cancer treatment affect patient-centeredness and treatment consistency for less
mobile patients, and how expectations of patient involvement pose difficulties for patients with PMI.
Both inefficiencies and best practices will be identified.
Based on the findings of SP1-3, SP4 will develop more effective organizational designs through codesign
workshops with project collaborators, stakeholders and patients. A steering group consisting of
patient ambassadors, representatives from patient and professional associations, and public policy
makers will guide research and help design and disseminate solutions.
| Status | Active |
|---|---|
| Effective start/end date | 01/01/2026 → 31/12/2028 |