Abstract for: Cancer Anywhere Policy: Access to and Preparedness of Specialist Cancer Care in Thailand under the Universal Health Coverage

Cancer Anywhere policy aims to enhance access to cancer care in Thailand and improve the clinical outcomes. Despite the policy enabling patients to receive treatments for cancers and related co-morbidities at any hospitals with capacities, unintended effects were noted. Some hospitals' workload significantly increases. Some patients still face delays to care. These patterns suggest underlying mechanisms undermining the intended policy outcomes. This study applies a qualitative system dynamics approach. Inputs from patients with various cancer types, public and private hospitals with different capacities, and key policymakers will be gathered via semi-structured in-depth interviews. Individual cognitive maps drawn during the interview will be used for causal loop diagrams generation and subsequent integration as archetypes. (WIP)The study is currently under ethical review. Data collection and subsequent analysis will take place in May – July 2026. In August, a stakeholder’s workshop will be hosted where preliminary findings will be presented and validated. Full results are expected in September. /// (WIP)This study’s findings provide a systems view of how a national cancer access policy may generate different feedback behaviours across regions in the same country. For policy makers, system archetypes identified in the study complements quantitative measures of impact for an informed policy change. Additionally, the findings may serve as a useful case study illustrating dynamics for governments implementing large scale health policy change.