"When patients have cancer, they stop seeing me" – the role of the general practitioner in early follow-up of patients with cancer – a qualitative study
Open Access
- 21 March 2006
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in BMC Family Practice
- Vol. 7 (1), 19
- https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2296-7-19
Abstract
The role of the general practitioner (GP) in cancer follow-up is poorly defined. We wanted to describe and analyse the role of the GP during initial follow-up of patients with recently treated cancer, from the perspective of patients, their relatives and their GPs. One focus group interview with six GPs from the city of Bodø and individual interviews with 17 GPs from the city of Tromsø in North Norway. Text analysis of the transcribed interviews and of free text comments in two questionnaires from 91 patients with cancer diagnosed between October 1999 and September 2000 and their relatives from Tromsø. The role of the GP in follow-up of patients with recently treated cancer is discussed under five main headings: patient involvement, treating the cancer and treating the patient, time and accessibility, limits to competence, and the GP and the hospital should work together. The GP has a place in the follow-up of many patients with cancer, also in the initial phase after treatment. Patients trust their GP to provide competent care, especially when they have more complex health care needs on top of their cancer. GPs agree to take a more prominent role for cancer patients, provided there is good access to specialist advice. Plans for follow-up of individual patients could in many cases improve care and cooperation. Such plans could be made preferably before discharge from in-patient care by a team consisting of the patient, a carer, a hospital specialist and a general practitioner. Patients and GPs call on hospital doctors to initiate such collaboration.Keywords
This publication has 31 references indexed in Scilit:
- Do cancer patients benefit from short-term contact with a general practitioner following cancer treatment? A randomised, controlled studySupportive Care in Cancer, 2005
- How do cancer patients who try to take control of their disease differ from those who do not?European Journal of Cancer Care, 2004
- Stigma, shame, and blame experienced by patients with lung cancer: qualitative studyBMJ, 2004
- Patient-centered communicationBMJ, 2004
- Oncology professionals and patient requests for cancer support servicesSupportive Care in Cancer, 2004
- Provision of oncology services in remote rural areas: a Scottish perspectiveEuropean Journal of Cancer Care, 2004
- Follow-Up for Patients With Colorectal Cancer After Curative-Intent Primary TreatmentJournal of Clinical Oncology, 2004
- Randomised controlled trial of a shared care programme for newly referred cancer patients: bridging the gap between general practice and hospitalQuality and Safety in Health Care, 2003
- Dignity in the terminally ill: a cross-sectional, cohort studyThe Lancet, 2002
- The role of the general practitioner in cancer care and the effect of an extended information routineScandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care, 2000