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Patients' perspectives on the role of their general practitioner after receiving an advanced cancer diagnosis
Author(s) -
Halkett G.K.B.,
Jiwa M.,
Lobb E.A.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
european journal of cancer care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.849
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1365-2354
pISSN - 0961-5423
DOI - 10.1111/ecc.12224
Subject(s) - medicine , referral , palliative care , family medicine , qualitative research , radiation oncologist , cancer , focus group , radiation therapy , nursing , social science , marketing , sociology , business
The aim of this study was to explore patients' perspectives on the role of their general practitioner ( GP ) after an advanced cancer diagnosis. A qualitative research approach was used. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted and data were analysed using a constant comparative methodology. Participants were eligible if they were diagnosed with advanced cancer and referred for palliative radiotherapy. Data saturation was achieved after 21 interviews. Key themes included (1) obtaining diagnosis and referral for advanced cancer treatment; (2) preference for specialist oncology care; (3) a preference for GP to act as an advocate; and (4) obtaining ongoing routine care from their GP . GP involvement in the patients' management was dependent on: time since diagnosis, GP 's involvement in diagnosis and referral, doctor/patient relationship, additional chronic conditions requiring management, frequency of seeing oncologist and specialist recommendation to involve GP . Patients want GP s to have varying levels of involvement following an advanced cancer diagnosis. Not all communication between GP s and patients was positive suggesting communication skills training may be a priority. Patients wished to maintain continunity of care for their non‐cancer related issues and healthcare of their family members. Future research needs to focus on working with GP s to increase their role in the management of advanced cancer.