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Practitioners’ perspectives on community‐based breast cancer survivorship care in Singapore: A focus group study
Author(s) -
Chan Alexandre,
Ngai Guo Hui,
Chung Wing Lam,
Yeo Angie,
Ng Terence,
Loh Kiley WeiJen,
Farid Mohamad,
Soong Yoke Lim,
Fok Rose
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
health and social care in the community
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.984
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1365-2524
pISSN - 0966-0410
DOI - 10.1111/hsc.12528
Subject(s) - survivorship curve , cancer survivorship , focus group , breast cancer , context (archaeology) , medicine , health care , family medicine , nursing , cancer , business , political science , marketing , law , paleontology , biology
Abstract With the long‐term goal of optimising the delivery of breast cancer survivorship care in Singapore, we conducted a qualitative study to gather in‐depth descriptions from community practitioners (general practitioners and community pharmacists) about their perceptions of community‐based cancer survivorship care in Singapore. Sixteen participants (11 general practitioners and five community pharmacists) participated in four structured focus group discussions between August and November 2016. The focus group discussions were analysed using deductive content analysis. The majority of community practitioners do not encounter breast cancer survivors in their clinical practices. Perceived barriers to community‐based survivorship care include patients’ lack of confidence in primary care, financial constraints and lack of empanelment. Most community practitioners concur that the success of community‐based survivorship care largely depends on the co‐operation and participation of survivors. Survivorship management via standardised care pathways is not fully advocated by practitioners. Survivorship care plans are identified as useful, but they should also incorporate a non‐cancer‐related medical history and medication list. Community practitioners in Singapore are eager to participate in the delivery of cancer survivorship care. Future studies should develop a community‐based care model that involves community practitioners and evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of such a care model. The current model of cancer survivorship in Singapore is not sustainable. Differences in healthcare ecosystems, cultures and resources available in an Asian context should be taken into consideration before designing a community‐based cancer survivorship program in Singapore.