Designing a referral pathway for patients with non-specific cancer symptoms in Irish primary care: a qualitative study protocol.

<ns3:p>Background Early cancer detection improves survival, but many cancers present initially with non-specific symptoms of cancer (NSSoC) such as weight loss, fatigue, or unexplained pain. These presentations are associated with longer diagnostic intervals and a later stage at diagnosis. Several countries have implemented diagnostic pathways for NSSoC, yet Ireland has no national model. Aim To explore the perspectives of patients, clinicians, managers, and policymakers to inform the design of an NSSoC referral pathway for Irish primary care. Methods Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with general practitioners, hospital specialists, service managers, policymakers, advocacy representatives, and patients. Purposive sampling will achieve diversity by role, experience, and geography. Data will be collected via Microsoft Teams, transcribed verbatim, anonymised, and analysed using Framework Analysis structured by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Findings will be mapped to the Engineering Better Care (EBC) framework to generate system-level design recommendations. Expected outcomes Identification of barriers, facilitators, and contextual determinants of an NSSoC pathway; practical, system-aware design principles for a patient-centred referral model suitable for the Irish context; and implementation considerations for policy and service planning.</ns3:p>