Ashraf Almatar1, Suzanne Richter2, Nafisha Lalani3, Jackie L Bender4, David Wiljer4, Nour Alkazaz4, Laura Legere1, Manjula Maganti5, Srikala S Sridhar2, Pamela P Catton6, Michael A S Jewett1. 1. Departments of Surgery (Urology) and Surgical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network and the University of Toronto, Toronto, ON; 2. Department of Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network and the University of Toronto, Toronto, ON; 3. Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network and the University of Toronto, Toronto, ON; 4. ELLICSR: Health, Wellness and Cancer Survivorship Centre, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network and the University of Toronto, Toronto, ON; 5. Department of Biostatistics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network and the University of Toronto, Toronto, ON. 6. Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network and the University of Toronto, Toronto, ON; ; ELLICSR: Health, Wellness and Cancer Survivorship Centre, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network and the University of Toronto, Toronto, ON;
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: There is little knowledge of survivorship care specific to genitourinary (GU) cancers. To improve care delivery to this patient population, we need to clearly define physician perceptions of survivorship care. We therefore conducted a study to determine the challenges to GU cancer survivorship care in Canada. METHODS: A web-based questionnaire was e-mailed to physicians treating GU cancers in Canada, including urologists, radiation oncologists, and medical oncologists. Five domains were assessed: demography, current post-cancer treatment care, perspectives on barriers to survivorship care, accessibility to survivorship resources, and perspectives about advocacy groups. RESULTS: There were 306 responses, with 260 eligible for study. A total of 82% of physicians involve primary care practitioners (PCPs) at some point in survivorship care. Most physicians provide some form of written follow-up plan to PCPs. However, only 25% provided lifestyle recommendations and 53% included persistent and late effects of therapy. Lack of time or resources dedicated to survivorship care was the most commonly reported barrier. There was variation in accessibility to survivorship support programs among different subspecialties and regions. Advocacy groups generally were underutilized, particularly in testis cancer. Low response rate and the potential response bias are the main limitations of this survey. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge this is the first study to address the challenges of GU cancer survivorship care in Canada. The barriers and accessibility of survivorship care quoted in this survey may be used to improve care for this group of patients. Underutilization of advocacy groups may stimulate the advocacy groups and institutions to address its causes and solutions.
INTRODUCTION: There is little knowledge of survivorship care specific to genitourinary (GU) cancers. To improve care delivery to this patient population, we need to clearly define physician perceptions of survivorship care. We therefore conducted a study to determine the challenges to GU cancer survivorship care in Canada. METHODS: A web-based questionnaire was e-mailed to physicians treating GU cancers in Canada, including urologists, radiation oncologists, and medical oncologists. Five domains were assessed: demography, current post-cancer treatment care, perspectives on barriers to survivorship care, accessibility to survivorship resources, and perspectives about advocacy groups. RESULTS: There were 306 responses, with 260 eligible for study. A total of 82% of physicians involve primary care practitioners (PCPs) at some point in survivorship care. Most physicians provide some form of written follow-up plan to PCPs. However, only 25% provided lifestyle recommendations and 53% included persistent and late effects of therapy. Lack of time or resources dedicated to survivorship care was the most commonly reported barrier. There was variation in accessibility to survivorship support programs among different subspecialties and regions. Advocacy groups generally were underutilized, particularly in testis cancer. Low response rate and the potential response bias are the main limitations of this survey. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge this is the first study to address the challenges of GU cancer survivorship care in Canada. The barriers and accessibility of survivorship care quoted in this survey may be used to improve care for this group of patients. Underutilization of advocacy groups may stimulate the advocacy groups and institutions to address its causes and solutions.
Authors: Cheryl L Rock; Colleen Doyle; Wendy Demark-Wahnefried; Jeffrey Meyerhardt; Kerry S Courneya; Anna L Schwartz; Elisa V Bandera; Kathryn K Hamilton; Barbara Grant; Marji McCullough; Tim Byers; Ted Gansler Journal: CA Cancer J Clin Date: 2012-04-26 Impact factor: 508.702
Authors: Arnold L Potosky; Paul K J Han; Julia Rowland; Carrie N Klabunde; Tenbroeck Smith; Noreen Aziz; Craig Earle; John Z Ayanian; Patricia A Ganz; Michael Stefanek Journal: J Gen Intern Med Date: 2011-07-22 Impact factor: 5.128
Authors: Ted A Skolarus; Margaret Holmes-Rovner; Laurel L Northouse; Angela Fagerlin; Carol Garlinghouse; Raymond Y Demers; David R Rovner; May Darwish-Yassine; John T Wei Journal: Urol Oncol Date: 2011-07-20 Impact factor: 3.498