Projects / Programmes
Analysis and estimation of requirements of human resources for cancer treatment in Slovenia
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 3.04.00 |
Medical sciences |
Oncology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B007 |
Biomedical sciences |
Medicine (human and vertebrates) |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 3.02 |
Medical and Health Sciences |
Clinical medicine |
health professionals, cancer treatment
Researchers (11)
Organisations (4)
Abstract
According to epidemiological indicators, cancer is a major public health burden in Slovenia, as it is the leading cause of death among men and number two among women. Furthermore, global indicators show that cancer is a modern-day epidemic.
The burden of cancer can only be systematically reduced in the long term if cancer is comprehensively controlled. For this purpose, the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) was established in 2010, which set goals to be achieved by 2015. The new document, the NCCP 2017-2021, which was drafted in 2016 in cooperation with numerous stakeholders was adopted by the Slovene government in April 2017
The diagnosis and treatment of cancer are complex processes requiring the collaboration of numerous healthcare activities. Modern cancer treatment requires oncology-oriented specialist surgeons, radiologists, and medical oncologists, who provide a multi-disciplinary approach. This multi-disciplinary process also includes psycho-oncology, pharmacy, dietetics, rehabilitation, and nursing. Human resources are the key of a successful cancer care programme, therefore one of the horizontal objectives of the NCCP 2017-2021 was the analysis and projection of needs for adequate treatment of cancer patients, taking into account the changing epidemiological situation and the upcoming of new technologies.
The aims of the research project are:
· Analysis of human resources (medical doctors, pharmacists, nursing and other health personnel) involved in cancer treatment in 2017;
· A projection of needs of human resources – health personnel for the period 2018-2021 taking into account incidence trends and evidence based treatments.
The project will be divided in 4 work packages (WP):
1. WP 1 –Capture and preparation of data of existing health personnel performing cancer treatment in Slovenia
The basic data sources area:
Database of Cancer Registry of Slovenia
Registry of health personnel (RHP).
WP1 will be composed of the following working assignments (WA):
· WA 1.1: Preparation of data on cancer incidence and treatment in 2014 (leader Institute of Oncology Ljubljana -OIL)
o Data of new cancer cases (incidence) in 2014 and first treatments performed (kind of treatments, health institution).
· WA 1.2: Acquirement of data of existing health personnel in Slovenia in 2017 from RHP (leader National institute of Public Health - NIPH)
o Data of health personnel employed in health institution where first treatments of newly diagnosed cancer patients was performed will be extracted. From extracted data health personnel by profession, number and place of employment will be shown.
2. WP 2 – Analysis of health personnel involved in cancer treatment in Slovenia
For successful cancer treatment, first adequate treatment is of utmost importance. For up-to date treatment, specialists and subspecialist are essential in the field of surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology as well as pharmacy, psychooncology, dietetics, rehabilitation and nursing.
WP 2 will be composed of the following working assignments (WA):
· WA 2.1: Data preparation and verification for the analysis of health personnel performing cancer treatment in Slovenia (leader OIL)
o In this WA verification and purging of data acquired from RHP at the sources – health institutions.
· WA 2.2: Analysis of data of health personnel employed for cancer treatment in Slovenia (leader OIL)
o Descriptive statistics will be used and data will be shown in tables. The analysis will be performed by treatment types (surgery, medical treatment, radiotherapy) for cancers with high incidence (colorectal cancer, breast cancer, prostate and urological cancers, lung cancer). For all health institutions that in 2014 performed the first cancer treatments in newly diagnosed cancer patients. Data on type and number of different treatment procedures and number of h
Significance for science
The project is of utmost importance for the development of oncology, especially for the availability of diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Only with proper staffing and competence can we expect the best results in the outcome of cancer treatment in the population of the Republic of Slovenia. Only this kind of workforce planning ensures the development of science in this field.
Significance for the country
The healthcare sector constitutes one of the most significant sectors in the EU economy with an important employment potential due to an ageing population and increasing demand for healthcare. Given the current tough budget constraints, health expenditures are under strong pressure to provide high quality healthcare cost effectively and to make fundamental reforms in the way in which they deliver healthcare. EU health systems need to find innovative solutions through new technologies, products and organisational changes which depend on a high quality motivated health workforce of sufficient capacity and with the right skills to meet the growing demands of healthcare.
The healthcare sector comprises workers primarily delivering healthcare services such as health professionals. Many people also work indirectly for the healthcare sector such as those employed in the healthcare industries and support services, pharmaceutical, medical device industries, health insurance, health research, etc .
A modern and innovative healthcare sector is a driver for economic growth as keeping people healthy and returning them to work when they get sick, benefits productivity and competitiveness. The healthcare sector is also a key driver for research and development and absorbs the highest amount of innovative products and services.
The number of jobs in the sector increases. Even during the economic crisis, employment in the healthcare sector has continued to grow: while overall employment fell. Most importantly, this positive trend is reflected across all age groups and includes rise in the employment of young people when youth employment fell in the economy overall. As regards the level of education, the health sector employs a higher than average number of highly educated people.
Across the EU there is growing interest in the development of integrated health workforce planning and forecasting which takes account of a number of factors (age, gender, number, specializations and distribution of health workers, skills and competence mix, working practices) to develop policy interventions and inform investment decisions in education, training and recruitment. The present project envisages this for the oncology field in Slovenia.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2018
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2018
