Ensuring quality in contextualised cancer management guidelines for resource-constraint settings: using a systematic...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Health Services Research
• Clinical Guideline Development

Background:

• Significant disparities in cancer care access exist across India.
• Achieving uniform infrastructure and expertise nationwide is challenging despite investments.
• A resource-stratified approach using contextualized clinical guidelines is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a framework for systematically developing and adapting clinical guidelines for cancer care in resource-constrained settings.
• To address the need for evidence-based, context-specific guidelines to improve cancer care delivery.
• To facilitate the adaptation of existing guidelines rather than de novo development.

Main Methods:

• Systematic framework development for guideline adaptation.
• Emphasis on transparency, stakeholder involvement, and documentation.
• Consideration of context, resource availability, budget impact, and implementation needs.

Main Results:

• A feasible pathway for creating resource-stratified guidelines through adaptation is proposed.
• The framework ensures guidelines are relevant, implementable, and acceptable to diverse stakeholders.
• The methodology can be applied to other health conditions in resource-limited environments.

Conclusions:

• Adapting existing guidelines is a practical strategy for developing cancer care standards in India.
• This approach promotes equitable access to cancer treatment by considering local realities.
• The framework offers a scalable model for guideline development in resource-constrained health systems.