George Vlachogiannis, Managing Editor of Cancer Control at Sage, shared an article on LinkedIn about recent paper by Olufisayo Olakotan et al. published in Cancer Control:
“Characteristics of Optimal Cancer Referrals Made by Primary Care Clinicians: Scoping Review
A new scoping review published in Cancer Control identifies the key elements of optimal cancer referral letters from primary to secondary care. Despite over 2 million urgent cancer referrals annually in England, referral content is highly variable, often missing crucial details.
The study found that the most effective referrals include:
- Comprehensive symptom descriptions
- Relevant clinical examination and test results
- GP’s rationale or concern behind the referral
Such detail enables specialists to make informed triage decisions, expedite diagnosis, and reduce delays in care. The findings can inform improvements to referral templates, guidelines, and communication between primary and secondary care, ultimately supporting earlier and more accurate cancer diagnosis.”
Title: Characteristics of Optimal Cancer Referrals Made by Primary Care Clinicians: Scoping Review
Authors: Olufisayo Olakotan, Judith Yargawa, Julie-Ann Moreland, Claire Friedemann Smith, Brian D. Nicholson, Andrew Millar, Georgia B. Black
Read The Full Article Cancer Control.
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