Barriers to Evidence-Based Colorectal Cancer Care in Ukraine

The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing in many low- to middle-income countries, including Ukraine. Ukraine reports high mortality rates in CRC patients. To identify potential areas for targeted interventions to improve CRC care in Ukraine, we investigated Ukrainian clinician perspectives on evidence-based CRC treatment guidelines.

An explanatory sequential mixed-methods study design was used. A survey was administered to attendees of a regional surgical conference. Semi-structured interviews were subsequently performed with practicing clinicians in Ukraine. Interviews were coded to identify prominent themes.

Quantitative: 105 clinicians completed the survey. 76% of respondents reported using guidelines in daily practice. Lack of English proficiency was cited by 28.6% of respondents as a barrier to guideline use. Improved knowledge and additional financial resources were reported as factors that would be helpful in providing evidence-based care.

15 clinicians were interviewed. Two major themes were identified: limitations in access to the medical literature resources (language barriers and financial barriers), and sense of clinician initiative and willingness to learn despite hardships.

Clinicians in Ukraine have positive perspectives on utilization of evidence-based CRC treatment guidelines. However, they face major barriers in accessing resources needed to keep up-to-date on the current literature. Fortunately, there exists both willingness and initiative on the clinician level to pursue continuing education. Efforts should be made on the international society level to improve open-access and foreign language translation availability to support physicians in Ukraine and other low- to middle-income countries.