Assessing the feasibility of expanding patient navigation services for cancer patients in Malaysia

The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to enter into a contractual agreement with a successful bidder and select a suitable contractor to carry out the assessment of the feasibility of expanding patient navigation services for cancer patients in Malaysia.

Bidders from outside Malaysia may include an optional costing for an in-person mission to Malaysia, to conduct some of the consultations and data collection.

BACKGROUND

Cancer is estimated to account for over 13% of deaths in Malaysia. Although several types of cancer can be detected early by screening (notably colorectal, breast and cervical cancers), majority of cancer patients in Malaysia are diagnosed in stages III and IV, when survival rate is lower. According to the Malaysian National Cancer Registry (MNCR) 2012-2016, breast cancer is the most common cancer in Malaysia (19% of all cancers), followed by colorectal cancer (13.5%). The late diagnosis is particularly concerning for colorectal cancer, as nearly 70% of colorectal cancer patients are diagnosed at stage III or IV of the disease.

Despite the heavy disease burden, public awareness of cancer screening and treatment pathways is still relatively low. While urban population is mostly aware that that screening can detect early stages of cancer, when treatment is most effective, those in rural areas have lower level of awareness of cancer warning symptoms. Additionally, due to the complexity of the diagnostic process, the treatment completion rates from screening to treatment are low, with a large proportion of patients dropping out along the way. Despite the increasing incidence of cancers, Malaysia has yet to implement population-based screening and patient navigation programs at national level.

Patient navigation is a healthcare delivery support system with the principal function of eliminating barriers to timely delivery of health care for individual patients across the healthcare continuum. Patient navigators may be assigned to specific phases of the patient navigation model, which include prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship, through the end of life. Patient navigation programs have been implemented in many countries to improve cancer care and reduce disparities in access to cancer services. While there are some cases of patient navigation practices in Malaysia, such a program has not been uniformly implemented across the country.

Therefore, an expert evaluation on the feasibility and barriers to introducing a cancer navigation programme is required, with the end goal to strengthen cancer prevention and management.

REQUIREMENTS/WORK TO BE PERFORMED

Output 1 Identify the existing best practices in cancer patient navigation (from screening to end-of-life-care).

Deliverable 1.1 Conduct a literature review of best practices in patient navigation, including studies on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness.

Deliverable 1.2 Draft a report detailing best practices in patient navigation and narrating an ideal patient navigation pathway for cancer patients, focusing on colorectal, breast and cervical cancers.

Output 2 Identify existing patient navigation practices in Malaysia, both formal and informal (from screening to end-of-life-care).

Deliverable 2.1 Conduct interviews and focus group discussions with the key stakeholders to define the current cancer patient journey and identify gaps in process where patient navigation may help, focusing on colorectal, breast and cervical cancers.

Deliverable 2.2 Conduct interviews and focus group discussions with the key stakeholders to identify examples of existing patient navigation practices in Malaysia, including their impact and limitations.

Deliverable 2.3 Prepare a report summarizing the current situation.

Output 3 Assess the feasibility of introducing patient navigation for cancer patients in Malaysia, inclusive of colorectal, breast and cervical cancer patients.

Deliverable 3.1 Develop potential patient navigation models in Malaysia, considering both clinics and hospitals, as well as engagement of healthcare professionals, volunteers, patients, NGOs, and other relevant stakeholders.

Deliverable 3.2 Conduct stakeholder consultations to assess the feasibility of implementing these models in Malaysia, in consideration of the existing resources.

Deliverable 3.3 Prepare a report on the feasibility of introducing patient navigation, including an estimate of the required resources and potential impact.

CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTRACTOR

Mandatory:

• Proven experience in the field of implementation science, community-based health and/or health service delivery research.
• Previous work with WHO, other international organizations and/or major institutions in the field of  implementation science research;

Desirable:

• Experience in the areas of implementation science, community-based health and/or health service delivery research

SUBMISSIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit the following documents to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 22 July 2023

• • Company Profile {for institutional applications}
• • Technical proposal indicating methodology and timelines, in addition to the below annexes
  • Annex 1: Acknowledgement Form
  • Annex 2: Confidentiality Undertaking
  • Annex 3: Proposal Completeness Form
  • Annex 6: Self-Declaration Form
• • Financial proposal

Please use Tender Notice No. 205731 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.

Last day of receiving queries for this tender is on 14 July 2023