ArticleHRB open research2025
GP referrals for suspected cancer in Ireland: protocol for a cross-sectional study (GRACCHUS).
Article in HRB open research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- GP referrals for suspected cancer in Ireland: protocol for a cross-sectional study (GRACCHUS).HRB open research · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: Cancer is a leading cause of mortality in Ireland, accounting for approximately 30% of deaths annually. Early diagnosis improves survival, reduces treatment burden, and enhances patient outcomes. Rapid Access Clinics (RACs) were introduced to facilitate expedited diagnosis of suspected lung, prostate, and breast cancers, as well as malignant melanoma. However, the extent to which Irish general practitioners (GPs) utilise RAC pathways, and the subsequent diagnostic outcomes, remain poorly understood. Methods: This retrospective repeated cross-sectional study will analyse electronic health records from Irish general practices (2013-2024). Phase 1 will assess trends in RAC referrals, including volume, cancer type, and inter-practice variation, alongside demographic, geographic, and clinical factors influencing referral rates. Phase 2 will evaluate cancer conversion rates, time to diagnosis, stage at diagnosis, treatment received, and cancer-specific mortality. Data collection will use a validated extraction tool, and analysis will follow STROBE guidelines for observational studies. Expected Outcomes: This study will quantify RAC referral patterns and identify factors influencing variability in GP referral behaviour. It will also assess diagnostic yield and cancer outcomes associated with RAC referrals. Findings will inform quality improvement initiatives and policy development to optimise cancer diagnostic pathways in Ireland.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.