Improving cancer care in Europe: Which institutional health structures might be beneficial and why? 1. European Roundtable Meeting (ERTM), 16th May 2014, Berlin, Germany

Abstract

Purpose

Bringing the knowledge and expertise of different European countries and the European Commission together for an analysis of the different factors being beneficent or rather opposing for high quality in cancer care. A specific focus is set on the structures and views in European nations on implementation processes.

Results

Due to the variation of National Cancer Control Plans (NCCPs) the preferences for implementation strategies differ. For quality achievement the involvement of the different stakeholders is beneficial. Common sense was the importance of NCCPs. However, it was consensus between participants that a bottom-up approach that considers the needs of different professional groups involved in cancer care and also the views of patients is of critical importance for successful implementation. Functioning cancer registries and evidence-based guidelines with standard of care are fundamental for quality measurement.

Conclusions

There is consensus between participants of the meeting that NCCPs are essential for improvement of cancer care. However, national preferences and the views of patients and caregivers have to be included to guarantee successful implementation.

Appendix: List of the participants of the ERTM

• Tit Albreht, Head of the Center for Health Care, National Institute of Public Health, Slovenia

• Johannes Bruns, Secretary-General, German Cancer Society, Germany

• Jan-Willem Coebergh, Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, The Netherlands

• Markus Follmann, Head of the Division Guidelines and Evidence based Medicine, German Cancer Society, Program Manager of the German Guideline Program in Oncology (GGPO)

• Rangheidur Haraldsdottir, Director, Icelandic Cancer Society, Iceland

• Ulrike Helbig, General Manager of the Section A, International Coordination, German Cancer Society, Germany

• Cora Honing, International Relations Officer, Dutch Cancer Society, Netherlands

• Christian Jackisch, Speaker of the Section A, German Cancer Society, Germany

• Freke Kloosterboer, Head of Cancer Care, Dutch Cancer Society, The Netherlands

• Isabelle Ladiges, Policy Officer, European Commission, Directorate-General for Health and Consumers Unit C1–Programme Management and Diseases, Luxemburg

• Donata Lerda, Scientific/Technical Project Officer, European Commission Joint Research Center, Institute for Health and Consumer Protection, Italy

• Katrin Mugele, Organisational Communication Specialist, German Cancer Society, Germany

• Olaf Ortmann, Speaker of the Section B, German Cancer Society, Germany

• Caroline Perréard, Communications and Marketing Specialist, Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), Switzerland

• Julie Torode, Deputy CEO, Director Advocacy & Programmes, Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), Switzerland

• Eefje Verhoof, Head of the Department of Guidelines, IKNL, Comprehensive Cancer Centre, The Netherlands

• Simone Wesselmann, Head of the Division of Certification, German Cancer Society, Germany