Improving rural cancer outcomes

Interventions: a multi-level complex ‘best prospects’ intervention will be designed based on a review of the available literature (from all periods) as well as qualitative assessments. The intervention will be designed to redress health system, doctor and patient factors that affect outcomes in rural patients with cancer of the prostate, breast, colorectum or lung. It is expected that the development phase will take approx. 2 years.
Primary outcome(s): The initial development phase will measure the different components of delay to treatment that could impact on poorer outcomes in rural cancer patients and gather knowledge of patient decision-making about symptom appraisal and the type and location of treatment of their cancer.[In the development phase of the study]
Study Design: Purpose: Screening;Duration: Cross-sectional;Selection: Defined population;Timing: Both