Objective:

To examine factors associated with delays in the time interval between first presentation to primary health care and first consultation with a haematologist, as well as non-haematological referrals during blood cancer diagnosis in Australia, highlighting the significance of timely diagnosis.

Key Findings:

• Delays in diagnosis are common, with multiple visits to primary health care before referral to specialists, with 30% of patients reporting more than three visits.
• Factors contributing to delays include patient demographics (e.g., age, gender) and health system inefficiencies, such as appointment availability.
• Delays beyond 2-3 months are associated with advanced disease features and poorer outcomes, with a 40% increase in complications.

Interpretation:

Understanding the diagnostic time intervals is crucial for improving timely help-seeking behaviors and adherence to optimal care pathways for blood cancer patients, potentially influencing healthcare policy.

Limitations:

• The survey relied on self-reported data, which may introduce bias, particularly in recall accuracy. The study focused on patients diagnosed after 2018, potentially limiting the generalizability of findings to earlier diagnoses.

Conclusion:

Addressing delays in the blood cancer diagnostic pathway is essential for improving patient outcomes and quality of life, with recommendations for healthcare system improvements.