Health Services Research in Cancer

Summary

The Health Services Research in Cancer Group is made up of ten researchers with a multidisciplinary composition that includes doctors, biostatistics, economists, political scientists, and psychologists.

The main objectives of the group defined for the next three years are to analyze the impact of cancer on the population of Catalonia and investigate the determinants that explain the use of health services in cancer screening and care. To achieve these objectives, the group applies a combination of quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods resulting from its multidisciplinary composition, as well as the combination of clinical, administrative and economic data, with a population-based approach as a priority, as well as applying real-world data analysis methodologies. A specific area of development is the use of information technologies in psychological support or therapeutic adherence, which can be useful for improving care in a process of healthcare change such as the current one.

<a href="http://www.freepik.com">Designed by Pressfoto / Freepik</a>

217 Publications

Strategic lines

Analyze the possible clinical and molecular criteria for personalization of population cancer screening

Evaluate the determinants of the use of health services with special interest in the determinants of adherence to cancer treatment (hormonal treatment, chemotherapy and radiotherapy) and in participation in population screening programs

Estimate the needs of cancer treatments from population-based (incidence) models in a European perspective as well as analysis models of the economic cost of treatment. These models will serve to analyze the economic impact that therapeutic innovation can have

Analyze the new organizational models of cancer care as a consequence of the introduction of precision medicine, the aging of cancer patients, ICTs, and the need to coordinate the levels of care involved in the journey of the cancer patient within the health system.

Develop tools based on Bayesian methodology for cancer projections and rare tumors useful in planning the necessary healthcare resources as well as developing tools based on machine learning techniques for the simulation and analysis of synthetic data that serve as a basis in the inference / estimation of possible indicators in cohort studies

Promote the evaluation of new strategies based on information technologies to improve psychological support for cancer patients in all phases of their evolution.

Identify the determinants of the adoption of clinical and organizational innovations in the health system and carry out applied research related to specific case studies on innovative therapeutic or preventive strategies.

Selected Publications

Borras JM, Corral J, Aggarwal A, Audisio R, Espinas JA, Figueras J, Naredi P, Panteli D, Pourel N, Prades J, Lievens Y. Innovation, value and reimbursement in radiation and complex surgical oncology: Time to rethink. EJSO. 2022;48(5):967-977. doi:10.1016/j.ejso.2021.08.018.

Ribes J, Pareja L, Sanz X, Mosteiro S, Escriba JM, Esteban L, Galvez J, Osca G, Rodenas P, Perez Sust P, Borras JM. Cancer diagnosis in Catalonia (Spain) after two years of COVID-19 pandemic: an incomplete recovery. ESMO Open. 2022;7(3):doi:10.1016/j.esmoop.2022.100486.

Manchon Walsh P, de Lacy FB, Pera M, Espin Basany E, Targarona EM, Biondo S, Aliste L, Pallarès N, Tebé C, Pata F, Lacy AM, Guarga A, Borràs JM. Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision Versus Anterior Total Mesorectal Excision For Rectal Cancer: A Propensity-Score Matched, Population-Based Study In Catalonia, Spain. Dis. Colon Rectum. 2022;65(2):207-217. doi:10.1097/DCR.0000000000002147.

Salmerón D, Botta L, Martínez JM, Trama A, Gatta G, Borràs JM, Capocaccia R, Clèries R, Rare Cancers RARECAREnet Working Group A. Estimating Country-Specific Incidence Rates of Rare Cancers: Comparative Performance Analysis of Modelling Approaches Using European Cancer Registry Data. Am. J. Epidemiol. 2022;191(3):487-498. doi:10.1093/aje/kwab262.

Font R, Buxó M, Ameijide A, Martínez JM, Marcos Gragera R, Carulla M, Puigdemont M, Vilardell M, Civit S, Viñas G, Espinàs JA, Galceran J, Izquierdo Á, Borràs JM, Clèries R. Using population-based data to evaluate the impact of adherence to endocrine therapy on survival in breast cancer through the web-application BreCanSurvPred. Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):8097-8097. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-12228-y.

Selected projects

PNJ21018. ESTRO CANCER FUNDATION ECF). Budget: 191400. 2021-2023. PI: JOSEP MARIA BORRAS.

20CEE002. 4-IN THE LUNG RUN: towards INdividually tailored INvitations, screening INtervals, and INtegrated co-morbidity reducing strategies in lung cancer screening. COMISSIÓ EUROPEA. Budget: 526575. 2020-2024. PI: ESPINAS PIÑOL, JOSEP ALFONS.

CEE22025. MELCAYA: Novel health care strategies for melanoma in children, adolescents and young adults. COMISSIÓ EUROPEA. Budget: 110000. 2022-2026. PI: Borràs Andrés, Josep Mª.

FIS21090. PROYECTO SUMA: EVALUANDO LA BRECHA ENTRE LAS NECESIDADES QUE EXPERIMENTAN LOS SUPERVIVIENTES DE CÁNCER EN EL CORTO PLAZO Y LA ATENCIÓN QUE RECIBEN DE LOS SERVICIOS SANITARIOS. Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII). Budget: 99220. 2022-2024. PI: Prades Pérez, Joan / Manchón Walsh, Paula.

FIS21055. Evaluación de una estrategia de intervención para la mejora de la adherencia a la terapia endocrina en mujeres con cáncer de mama basada en datos del sistema sanitario en Cataluña. Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII). Budget: 99861,3. 2022-2024. PI: Borràs Andrés, Josep Mª.