Identifying Priorities and Needs to Improve Oncology Research in the Gaza Strip, Palestine

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to (1) identify the priorities of oncology research in the Gaza Strip; (2) explore the needs for improving oncology research in the Gaza Strip, Palestine.

Participants and Methods

A qualitative approach for data collection was used in this study. After obtaining the ethical approvals to conduct this study, a sample of 42 health-care providers who are involved in providing oncology care and research in the Gaza Strip were included in this study. Data were collected by the researchers through seven focus groups. Thematic coding was used for data analysis. Two main themes and several sub-themes were extracted during the data analysis.

Results

The two main themes extracted from data analysis were research priorities and research needs. Participants identified several priorities in relation to oncology research that are assessing for cancer awareness, cancer prevention, exploring and finding new molecular biomarkers, screening for germ-line mutations related to the most common cancers, determining genetic and environmental risk factors for developing cancer, and exploring and testing new cancer therapies. Concerning research needs, participants identified several needs to enhance oncology research, which are financial needs, need for training, availability of data, creation of interdisciplinary research teams, and transforming in vitro studies to in vivo.

Conclusion

Well-designed studies will certainly help to identify the priorities and needs to improve oncology research in the Gaza Strip, which is considered one of the most important steps to help push these priorities onto the agenda of health policymakers. Therefore, they will work to set goals and design policies and programs aiming to reduce incidence and prevalence rates of cancer in the Gaza Strip, promote early detection of cancer, improve prognosis, and reduce mortality related to cancer.

Keywords:

• research needs
• research priorities
• oncology care
• focus group
• gaza strip

Ethics Approval

This study was performed in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Approval was granted by the Research Ethics Committee of the Islamic University of Gaza (approval no. 24-2022).

Consent to Participate

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Consent for Publication

Our manuscript does not contain any individual person’s data in any form (including any individual details, images, or videos).

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis, and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising, or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

The authors declare that no funds, grants, or other support were received during the preparation of this manuscript.