Analysis of patients’ referrals to the outpatient oncology clinic in Wejherowo

Abstract

Introduction: The waiting time for the specialist oncology consultation ranges from a few to several weeks. This is due to the insufficient number of oncologists, uneven distribution of the cancer centers and the fact that the referral to the Cancer Clinic is not required.

Material and methods: For the purpose of the research the cause of notifications and referrals of 3648 patients, who registered for the first time in The Oncology Clinic of Wejherowo in years 2010–2013, was retrospectively analyzed. In the case of patients’ referrals due to a pathology in the chest, the assessment of the final clinical diagnosis or cytology has been made. Additionally, the researchers evaluated the number of patients diagnosed with cancer and the frequency of patient’s visits considering the reasons of referring for consultation and the established diagnosis.

Results: Vast majority of the targeted patients were women (2679; 73.4%). The most common cause of referrals and visits was the pathology associated with mammary gland, the second frequently recognized reason wasa diagnosed cytologically or histologically malignant disease. The following was the presence of abnormalities in the pictorial study, lump in the subcutaneous tissue or clinically enlarged lymph node. The majority of the severity of disorders ascertained in the mammary glands were small and already on the first visit virtually ruled out the presence of breast cancer.

Summary: Taking the research results and own experience into consideration, the authors have developed some proposals of practical guidelines on targeting consultation to the Oncology Clinic. The improvement of knowledge concerning cancer among general practitioners could reduce the number of people directed to the Cancer Clinic. This would facilitate an access to the oncology consultation while maintaining the necessary minimum of the clinical oncologists’ employment.