Mutual Learning in Cancer Control Policy Implementation: Interviews With Local Policy Makers

Abstract

Abstract Many policy recommendations in the field of cancer control are developed at the EU level, but insights on the practical implementation are lacking. However, European Member States encounter similar barriers when implementing and could learn from each other. Our aim is to facilitate this, through a mutual learning platform, developed in the framework of the EU Joint Action on Cancer Control, iPAAC. A first step is to collect examples of implementation experience in the field of prevention, screening, diagnose and treatment, organisation of care and cancer information systems and to identify the key contextual features of the country (legal framework, healthcare systems, etc.). Therefore, in-depth interviews with national policy makers, administrators and experts of 20 EU Member States are carried out. A second step is to translate their experiences into factsheets, which will the core of the mutual learning platform. Two types of examples of experiences came up: firstly, implementation plans or frameworks and secondly, practical solutions to implementation challenges. These last relate to different barriers encountered: the industry lobbies; stakeholder’s involvement; avoid and tackle social inequalities; evaluation of programs; introduction and financing of innovations, digitalization, organization of the health care system, etc. The results also include a series of reported challenges for which further policy support or knowledge is needed. The results clearly show that similar challenges exist and are solved in different EU countries. Through translating the examples of implementation experience into factsheets, countries can learn from each other. Besides the factsheets, the mutual learning platform will provide contextual features which allow and support translation into the local context. Key messages By conducting in-depth interviews with health policy makers, common challenges in the implementation of cancer control policy, as well as solutions to overcome them, came up across EU Member States. Through the provision of concrete examples on how to overcome implementation barriers, we facilitate mutual learning between the EU Countries to improve cancer control and benefit to public health.