ArticleThe oncologist2025
Knowledge to action: a pilot quality improvement intervention on breast cancer specimen handling in operating rooms in Southern Ethiopia.
Article in The oncologist, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundAppropriate handling of surgical specimens is critical to the accurate diagnosis and treatment of Breast cancer (BC) and is urgently needed in sub-Saharan Africa. This study piloted a quality improvement training program in southern Ethiopia.
methodsA train-the-trainer implementation strategy was used. The audience was operating room teams from 15 facilities (Cohort 1) and nursing school faculty (Cohort 2). Topics included specimen handling and processing, cold ischemia time, and communication. Participants completed surveys with 5-point Likert questions and free text. Descriptive analysis was performed. Paired t-tests measured knowledge gained and the magnitude of change in understanding topics pre-, post-training, and 6 months later. Implementation outcomes of acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility were measured after 6 months.
resultsForty-nine individuals participated, 39 in Cohort 1 and 10 in Cohort 2. Before training, the majority were not very comfortable with topics of immunohistochemistry and cold ischemia time. After training, confidence and understanding of all topics improved. The majority reported being very to extremely motivated to raise awareness, train others, and implement practice changes. The 6-month survey had a 33% response rate, with 75% reporting practice changes to a large extent. Confidence in topics was retained. Respondents trained 172 students and 32 faculty. High composite scores of acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility indicated a strong likelihood of adoption.
conclusionsThis pilot intervention in southern Ethiopia provided foundational knowledge in BC specimen processing. Tracking outcomes of penetration, sustainability, and impact on diagnosis and treatment is needed.
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