Abstract
Caring for cancer patients is multidisciplinary and complex in nature. It calls for close collaboration between knowledgeable and experienced healthcare professionals who base their decisions on recent scientific insights. Care pathways are often used to adequately implement and coordinate the care for specific groups of patients and are based on guidelines, good practices and patient expectations. Care pathways are mainly intended to improve the multidisciplinary quality of care, reduce clinical variation, increase patient satisfaction and improve the use of available resources.
In this doctoral thesis Jolanda van Hoeve examined whether the above-mentioned goals are achieved for oncology through the use of care pathways. The focus was on quality of care, the added value for healthcare professionals and patients, and the suitability of using care pathways in oncology networks. The doctoral thesis consists of several literature studies and practice-based studies on the added value of care pathways for patients with breast cancer and patients with oesophageal and stomach cancer.
This thesis reveals the effects of care pathways for patients. For example, more patients can receive the diagnostic tests as stated in the recommendations of the guideline, and the length of time patients can start treatment after their diagnosis is shortened. In addition, also effects were examined for healthcare professionals for whom the process of developing and implementing a care pathway contributes to a good working environment with personal contact between colleagues in an oncology network. Furthermore, the significance of an effective and targeted development of care pathways is also emphasised. However, the development and implementation of care pathways cannot be seen in isolation from other developments.
In this doctoral thesis Jolanda van Hoeve examined whether the above-mentioned goals are achieved for oncology through the use of care pathways. The focus was on quality of care, the added value for healthcare professionals and patients, and the suitability of using care pathways in oncology networks. The doctoral thesis consists of several literature studies and practice-based studies on the added value of care pathways for patients with breast cancer and patients with oesophageal and stomach cancer.
This thesis reveals the effects of care pathways for patients. For example, more patients can receive the diagnostic tests as stated in the recommendations of the guideline, and the length of time patients can start treatment after their diagnosis is shortened. In addition, also effects were examined for healthcare professionals for whom the process of developing and implementing a care pathway contributes to a good working environment with personal contact between colleagues in an oncology network. Furthermore, the significance of an effective and targeted development of care pathways is also emphasised. However, the development and implementation of care pathways cannot be seen in isolation from other developments.
Original language | English |
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Qualification | Doctor of Philosophy |
Awarding Institution |
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Supervisors/Advisors |
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Award date | 29 Oct 2020 |
Place of Publication | Enschede |
Publisher | |
Print ISBNs | 978-90-365-5062-8 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 29 Oct 2020 |