Διερεύνηση της διαδρομής και του βαθμού ισότιμης πρόσβασης των ασθενών με καρκίνο του πνεύμονα στο Ελληνικό Σύστημα Υγείας

Μεργιάς, Κωνσταντίνος Παναγιώτης

Investigating the care pathways and the degree of equitable access of lung cancer patients in the Greek Health System

Master Thesis

Author

Μεργιάς, Κωνσταντίνος Παναγιώτης

Date

2026

Abstract

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide and represents a significant challenge for the Greek healthcare system, due to delays in diagnosis, inequalities in access, and fragmentation of care. Understanding the patient pathway is critical for identifying system inefficiencies and improving oncology care delivery. The aim of this study is to investigate the care pathway of lung cancer patients in Greece, with a focus on barriers, delays, and inequalities. The methodology included a literature review and qualitative research through focus groups with patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, while the data were analyzed thematically. The findings highlighted significant fragmentation of care, absence of standardized pathways, and limited coordination between services. Delays were identified as a cumulative phenomenon across all stages, from symptom recognition to treatment initiation. At the same time, considerable geographical inequalities and limited access to specialized services outside major urban centers were observed. A gap was also identified between the advances of personalized oncology and their implementation in clinical practice, along with inconsistent functioning of multidisciplinary care. Supportive, psychosocial, and palliative care were found to be under-integrated, with families often filling critical gaps. Overall, the study provides an evidence-based foundation for the design of health policy interventions aimed at improving continuity, equity, and quality of oncology care in Greece.

Postgraduate Studies Programme

Οικονομικά και Διοίκηση της Υγείας

Department

Σχολή Οικονομικών, Επιχειρηματικών και Διεθνών Σπουδών. Τμήμα Οικονομικής Επιστήμης

Number of pages

143

Language

Greek

URI

https://dione.lib.unipi.gr/xmlui/handle/unipi/19654

Collections

Τμήμα Οικονομικής Επιστήμης

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Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as
Αναφορά Δημιουργού-Μη Εμπορική Χρήση-Όχι Παράγωγα Έργα 3.0 Ελλάδα