Australian primary care data research presented to WHO

Missed diagnostic opportunities occur in 4% of all GP consultations. Research using linked primary care electronic medical records could help to improve accurate and timely diagnosis of different conditions and improve patient care.

As part of the World Patient Safety Day 2024, Dr Meena Rafiq from the Cancer in Primary Care team, led by Professor Jon Emery, was invited to deliver the keynote speech in Budapest. She presented work from Australia using linked primary care data to identify early blood test markers of lung and colorectal cancer and identify opportunities for potential earlier diagnosis in patients with sarcoma.

She also showcased some of the team's upcoming work, including the Cancer Council Victoria funded PELICAN project that will, for the first time in Australia, use patient genetic data linked to primary care and cancer registry data to see if it can improve earlier diagnosis of cancer in primary care.