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The role of the general practitioner in follow-up of patients with cancer
The role of the
general practitioner (GP) in follow-up of patients with cancer is much
debated but poorly defined. Using focus group interviews and individual
interviews with GPs and free text comments from patients with cancer we
describe and analyse the role of the GP in follow-up of patients with
recently treated cancer, from the perspective of patients, their relatives
and their GPs. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and all the texts were
analysed by use of QSR-N6 (NUD*IST, La Trobe University, 2002).
We discuss the
role of the GP in follow-up of patients with newly diagnosed cancer using
five main headings:
The GP has a
place in the follow-up of many patients with newly diagnosed cancer.
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 and out-patient specialists to
initiate such collaboration. Bibliographic
reference: Anvik T, Holtedahl KA and Mikalsen H: “When patients have cancer, they stop seeing me” - the role of the general practitioner in follow-up of patients with cancer - a qualitative study", BMC Family Practice 2006, 7:19
Tor Anvik
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