The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of community diagnostic centres: a rapid review

Wale, Alesha, Okolie, Chukwudi ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1423-9306, Everitt, Jordan, Hookway, Amy, Shaw, Hannah, Little, Kirsty, Lewis, Ruth, Cooper, Alison ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8660-6721 and Edwards, Adrian ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6228-4446 2024. The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of community diagnostic centres: a rapid review. International Journal of Public Health 69 , 1606243. 10.3389/ijph.2024.1606243

PDF - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (969kB)

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the effectiveness of community diagnostic centres as a potential solution to increasing capacity and reducing pressure on secondary care in the UK. Methods: A comprehensive search for relevant primary studies was conducted in a range of electronic sources in August 2022. Screening and critical appraisal were undertaken by two independent reviewers. There were no geographical restrictions or limits to year of publication. A narrative synthesis approach was used to analyse data and present findings. Results: Twenty primary studies evaluating twelve individual diagnostic centres were included. Most studies were specific to cancer diagnosis and evaluated diagnostic centres located within hospitals. The evidence of effectiveness appeared mixed. There is evidence to suggest diagnostic centres can reduce various waiting times and reduce pressure on secondary care. However, cost-effectiveness may depend on whether the diagnostic centre is running at full capacity. Most included studies used weak methodologies that may be inadequate to infer effectiveness. Conclusion: Further well-designed, quality research is needed to better understand the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of community diagnostic centres.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	Published
Schools:	Medicine
Additional Information:	License information from Publisher: LICENSE 1: URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Publisher:	Frontiers Media
ISSN:	1661-8556
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	8 February 2024
Date of Acceptance:	8 January 2024
Last Modified:	08 Feb 2024 10:00
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/166189

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item