The missing link

Introducing th Oncology Patient Pathway Management Program of the Budapest Municipality

Abstract

The aim of this study is to present the objectives of the oncology patient pathway management program launched in 2023 within the framework of the Healthy Budapest Program (EBP), the early experiences of district clinics and the possible directions for further progress. In accordance with the agreement between the Government and the Municipality of Budapest, that will implement several programs related to cancer care from the EBP resources provided in 2020 and 2021 until the end of 2025 based on the actual government decisions. As part of this, under the organization Municipality of Budapest, signed Cooperation Agreement with 11 Budapest district outpatient (poly)clinics from 2023 and 2024 to carry out oncology patient pathway management tasks.

This article provides a systematic overvies of the current situation, organizational activities, patient pathways and care experiences carried out in the past period. It is a challenge for Capital district outpatient clinics to build and strengthen professional relationships, on the one hand, with diagnostic service providers (imaging, laboratory, pathology) and, on the other hand, with oncology centres operating in national institutes, Semmelweis University or capital city hospitals. The specific tasks related to the organization among others are the training of the employees who carry out the organization, the development of supporting IT solutions, capacity development (number of hours), even set up new medical professions. In addition, several rounds of horizontal consultations have taken place between the professional managers of the specialist clinics involved in the program. At the end of the study, proposals are formulated by the authors for the further development of the oncology patient pathway management, and for the establishment of a policy and financing supportive environment.