Organizational factors and the cancer screening process

J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr. 2010;2010(40):38-57. doi: 10.1093/jncimonographs/lgq008.

Abstract

Cancer screening is a process of care consisting of several steps and interfaces. This article reviews what is known about the association between organizational factors and cancer screening rates and examines how organizational strategies can address the steps and interfaces of cancer screening in the context of both intraorganizational and interorganizational processes. We reviewed 79 studies assessing the relationship between organizational factors and cancer screening. Screening rates are largely driven by strategies to 1) limit the number of interfaces across organizational boundaries; 2) recruit patients, promote referrals, and facilitate appointment scheduling; and 3) promote continuous patient care. Optimal screening rates can be achieved when health-care organizations tailor strategies to the steps and interfaces in the cancer screening process that are most critical for their organizations, the providers who work within them, and the patients they serve.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Continuity of Patient Care / organization & administration
  • Early Detection of Cancer* / economics
  • Early Detection of Cancer* / psychology
  • Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / psychology
  • Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Health Facility Administration
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mammography / psychology
  • Mammography / statistics & numerical data
  • Mass Screening / economics
  • Mass Screening / organization & administration*
  • Mass Screening / psychology
  • Motivation
  • Occult Blood
  • Primary Health Care
  • Referral and Consultation
  • Reminder Systems
  • Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Vaginal Smears / psychology
  • Vaginal Smears / statistics & numerical data