TY - JOUR
T1 - Cancer follow-up in primary care after treatment with curative intent
T2 - Views of patients with breast and colorectal cancer
AU - Liemburg, Geertje B
AU - Korevaar, Joke C
AU - Logtenberg, Mariëlle
AU - Berendsen, Annette J
AU - Berger, Marjolein Y
AU - Brandenbarg, Daan
N1 - Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
PY - 2024/5
Y1 - 2024/5
N2 - OBJECTIVE: Increased cancer survival leads to more patients requiring oncological follow-up. Debate about how best to coordinate this care has led to the proposed involvement of general practitioners (GPs) rather than continued reliance on hospital care. However, we still require patient opinions to inform this debate.METHODS: This qualitative interview study explored opinions about organization of follow-up care of patients treated curatively for breast and colorectal cancer. Thematic analysis was applied.RESULTS: We interviewed 29 patients and identified three themes concerning care substitution: "benefits and barriers," "requirements," and "suitable patient groups." Benefits included accessibility, continuity, contextual knowledge, and psychosocial support. Barriers included concerns about cancer-specific expertise of GPs and longer waiting times. Requirements were sufficient time and remuneration, sufficient training, clear protocols, and shared-care including efficient communication with specialists.CONCLUSIONS: According to patients with cancer, formal GP involvement appears feasible, although important barriers must be overcome before instituting care substitution. A possible solution are personalized follow-up plans based on three-way conversations with the specialist and the GP after the initial hospital care.PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: With adequate training, time, and remuneration, formal GP involvement could ensure more comprehensive care, possibly starting with less complex cases.
AB - OBJECTIVE: Increased cancer survival leads to more patients requiring oncological follow-up. Debate about how best to coordinate this care has led to the proposed involvement of general practitioners (GPs) rather than continued reliance on hospital care. However, we still require patient opinions to inform this debate.METHODS: This qualitative interview study explored opinions about organization of follow-up care of patients treated curatively for breast and colorectal cancer. Thematic analysis was applied.RESULTS: We interviewed 29 patients and identified three themes concerning care substitution: "benefits and barriers," "requirements," and "suitable patient groups." Benefits included accessibility, continuity, contextual knowledge, and psychosocial support. Barriers included concerns about cancer-specific expertise of GPs and longer waiting times. Requirements were sufficient time and remuneration, sufficient training, clear protocols, and shared-care including efficient communication with specialists.CONCLUSIONS: According to patients with cancer, formal GP involvement appears feasible, although important barriers must be overcome before instituting care substitution. A possible solution are personalized follow-up plans based on three-way conversations with the specialist and the GP after the initial hospital care.PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: With adequate training, time, and remuneration, formal GP involvement could ensure more comprehensive care, possibly starting with less complex cases.
U2 - 10.1016/j.pec.2024.108139
DO - 10.1016/j.pec.2024.108139
M3 - Article
C2 - 38232673
SN - 0738-3991
VL - 122
JO - Patient Education and Counseling
JF - Patient Education and Counseling
M1 - 108139
ER -