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An integrated understanding of the complex drivers of emergency presentations and admissions in cancer patients: qualitative modelling of secondary-care health professionals’ experiences and views

Chen, Hong; Walabyeki, Julie; Johnson, Miriam; Boland, Elaine; Seymour, Julie; Macleod, Una

Authors

Hong Chen

Elaine Boland

Julie Seymour



Contributors

Wisit Cheungpasitporn
Editor

Abstract

The number of cancer-related emergency presentations and admissions has been steadily increasing in the UK. Drivers of this phenomenon are complex, multifactorial and interlinked. The main objective of this study was to understand the complexity of emergency hospital use in cancer patients. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 42 senior clinicians (20 doctors, 22 nurses) with diverse expertise and experience in caring for acutely ill cancer patients in the secondary care setting. Data analysis included thematic analysis and purposive text analysis to develop Causal Loop Diagrams. Our Causal Loop Diagrams represent an integrated understanding of the complex factors (13) influencing emergency hospital use in cancer patients. Eight factors formed five reinforcing feedback loops and therefore were high-leverage influences: Ability of patients and carers to self-care and cope; Effective and timely management of ambulatory care sensitive conditions by primary and community care; Sufficient and effective social care for patients and carers; Avoidable emergency hospital use; Bed capacity; Patients accessing timely appropriate specialist inpatient or ambulatory care; Prompt and effective management and prevention of acute episode; Timely and safe discharge with appropriate support. The loops show that reduction of avoidable hospital use helps relieve hospital bed pressure; improved bed capacity then has a decisive, positive influence on patient pathway and thus outcome and experience in the hospital; in turn, better in-hospital care and discharge help patients and carers self-care and cope better back home with better support from community-based health and social care services, which then reduces their future emergency hospital use. To optimise acute and emergency cancer care, it is also essential that patients, carers and other clinicians caring for cancer patients have prompt access to senior cancer specialists for advice, assessment, clinical decision and other support. The findings provide a useful framework and focus for service planners aiming to optimise care.

Citation

Chen, H., Walabyeki, J., Johnson, M., Boland, E., Seymour, J., & Macleod, U. (2019). An integrated understanding of the complex drivers of emergency presentations and admissions in cancer patients: qualitative modelling of secondary-care health professionals’ experiences and views. PLoS ONE, 14(5), Article e0216430. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0216430

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Apr 20, 2019
Online Publication Date May 2, 2019
Publication Date May 2, 2019
Deposit Date May 22, 2019
Publicly Available Date May 22, 2019
Journal PLoS ONE
Print ISSN 1932-6203
Publisher Public Library of Science
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 14
Issue 5
Article Number e0216430
DOI https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0216430
Keywords General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology; General Agricultural and Biological Sciences; General Medicine
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/1725436
Publisher URL https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0216430
Additional Information Copyright: © 2019 Chen et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which
permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Contract Date May 22, 2019

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Copyright Statement
Copyright: © 2019 Chen et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which
permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.






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