Methodology for Identifying and Showcasing Initiatives

This section describes the approach we use to identify, assess, and highlight initiatives aimed at enhancing the efficiency of cancer diagnosis, as well as improving patient outcomes and experiences.

The Evidence Working Group seeks to gather a wide range of examples of projects and initiatives that have successfully enhanced the efficiency of cancer care and diagnosis practices across Canada. The goal of providing evidence-based examples is to gain deeper insights into best practices, evaluate efficiency improvements and their impact on patient outcomes, and identify policy opportunities to support the replication of these successes.

1. Identifying Resources

The inclusion and exclusion criteria outlined below are used to search for new examples.

Inclusion Criteria

We include studies and initiatives that meet the following criteria:

Focus: Address efficiency in cancer diagnosis, improve patient outcomes, or enhance the patient experience.
Outcomes: Completed initiatives must demonstrate measurable benefits, such as improved quality of life, reduced costs, or better workforce utilization.
- Ongoing initiatives must include plans for evaluation and dissemination of results.
Geographic and Language Scope: Conducted in Canada (provinces and territories) and published in English or French.
Source Type: Peer-reviewed sources.
Participants: Patients of all ages, family caregivers, and healthcare providers.
Cancer Types: All types of cancer.
Commercial Initiatives: will be accepted under the following conditions:
- They significantly improve the standard of care for healthcare systems, patients, or families.
- Findings are published in publicly accessible scientific literature. Generic names will be used for commercial products when possible.

Exclusion Criteria

We exclude initiatives that lack evaluation or outcome measures.

Non-oncology initiatives.

Commercial products without published evidence of benefit over the standard of care.

2. Searching and Selecting Relevant Initiatives

New initiatives are identified through accessing a range of online sources such as:

Academic Databases: Literature searches on PubMed and review of reference lists from published studies.
Oncology Journals: Canadian and international open-access journals such as Current Oncology, Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal (CONJ), and Cancer and Clinical Oncology (CCO).
Web Searches: Using Google alerts to track emerging developments.
Online submissions: Examples submitted via the All.Can Canada website.
Recommendations: Suggestions from colleagues, patients, or healthcare providers.

Initiatives are selected and assessed using the following criteria or indicators:

Access to testing and specialized cancer professionals.
Accuracy and swiftness of diagnosis.
Communication between patients and providers, and among providers.
Coordinated care and integrated psychosocial support.
Availability of information about the care pathway.
Validation of patient concerns by primary care providers.
Equity.

3. Drafting Process and Internal Review

Drafting Case Studies

Once an initiative is identified, a case study draft is prepared using desk research (e.g., publications, press releases, website content).

Each case study includes:

Summary: Overview of the initiative and its achievements.
Challenge: Description of the issue the initiative addresses.
Solution: Details of the initiative.
Impact: Achievements such as cost reduction, shorter wait times, or improved outcomes. For ongoing initiatives, potential impacts are outlined.
Next Steps: Future aims and related projects.
Further Information: Links to additional resources (e.g., reports, publications, videos).

Internal Review Process

A member of the evidence working group reviews the draft, providing feedback and suggesting revisions.

The revised draft is shared with an external key contact (e.g., lead researcher, oncologist, or patient advocate) for their input.

4. Conducting Interviews

Where possible, an interview is secured to verify and enhance the content of each example.

The interviews with key contacts are used to check the accuracy of the written examples and to obtain up-to-date information on each initiative.

A list of questions is emailed to key contacts ahead of the interview.

Key contacts are asked to describe the development, implementation, impact and future aims of the initiative.

They are also asked if they would like to publish contact information alongside the written example to facilitate contact with others who are interested in the initiative.

Interviews are recorded, transcribed, and integrated into a revised draft.

5. Final Validation and Dissemination

The revised draft incorporating interview insights is shared with the key contact for final approval before publication on the All.Can Canada website.

All initiatives will be available in English and French.

This rigorous process ensures that the showcased initiatives are accurate, impactful, and informative for stakeholders seeking to enhance cancer care in Canada.