BACKGROUND: Survivorship care after breast cancer treatment is increasingly complex as it aims to manage the long term effects of cancer and its treatment, including psychosocial needs. While survivorship care is traditionally delivered by surgeons and specialist oncologists in Australia, general practitioners are ideally placed to manage these issues. METHODS: This study explored the attitudes of 20 breast cancer survivors to GP involvement in follow up care through semi-structured telephone interviews, which were analysed using qualitative methods. RESULTS: Women were reluctant to change from specialist based care but identified many potential benefits of GP involvement in long term cancer care. They expressed an interest in shared care programs between specialists and GPs. Some participants thought that additional training may be required if GPs were to deliver this care. CONCLUSION: This study shows cautious interest from breast cancer survivors for increasing GP involvement in follow up care. These views should be considered as alternative models of care are developed.
BACKGROUND: Survivorship care after breast cancer treatment is increasingly complex as it aims to manage the long term effects of cancer and its treatment, including psychosocial needs. While survivorship care is traditionally delivered by surgeons and specialist oncologists in Australia, general practitioners are ideally placed to manage these issues. METHODS: This study explored the attitudes of 20 breast cancer survivors to GP involvement in follow up care through semi-structured telephone interviews, which were analysed using qualitative methods. RESULTS:Women were reluctant to change from specialist based care but identified many potential benefits of GP involvement in long term cancer care. They expressed an interest in shared care programs between specialists and GPs. Some participants thought that additional training may be required if GPs were to deliver this care. CONCLUSION: This study shows cautious interest from breast cancer survivors for increasing GP involvement in follow up care. These views should be considered as alternative models of care are developed.
Authors: J A Meiklejohn; G Garvey; R Bailie; E Walpole; J Adams; D Williamson; J Martin; C M Bernardes; B Arley; B Marcusson; P C Valery Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2017-01-12 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Judith A Meiklejohn; Alexander Mimery; Jennifer H Martin; Ross Bailie; Gail Garvey; Euan T Walpole; Jon Adams; Daniel Williamson; Patricia C Valery Journal: J Cancer Surviv Date: 2016-05-02 Impact factor: 4.442
Authors: Carriene Roorda; Geertruida H de Bock; Christian Scholing; Klaas van der Meer; Marjolein Y Berger; Marlieke de Fouw; Annette J Berendsen Journal: Health Expect Date: 2014-03-25 Impact factor: 3.377
Authors: Patricia C Valery; Christina M Bernardes; Audra de Witt; Jennifer Martin; Euan Walpole; Gail Garvey; Daniel Williamson; Judith Meiklejohn; Gunter Hartel; Isanka U Ratnasekera; Ross Bailie Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2019-05-02 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Lucie Rychetnik; Rachael L Morton; Kirsten McCaffery; John F Thompson; Scott W Menzies; Les Irwig Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2012-12-19 Impact factor: 2.655