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BMC Primary Care
Published in: BMC Primary Care 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research article

Cancer survivors’ perspectives on delivery of survivorship care by primary care physicians: an internet-based survey

Authors: Ernestina Nyarko, James M. Metz, Giang T. Nguyen, Margaret K. Hampshire, Linda A. Jacobs, Jun J. Mao

Published in: BMC Primary Care | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

Helping cancer survivors to transition from active treatment to long-term survivorship requires coordinated efforts by both oncologists and primary care physicians (PCPs). This study aims to evaluate cancer survivors’ perspectives on PCP-delivered survivorship care.

Methods

We conducted an Internet-based cross-sectional survey of cancer survivors via www.​OncoLink.​org. Regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with perception of PCP-delivered survivorship care.

Results

The 352 respondents rated overall PCP-delivered survivorship care as 60 out of 100 (SD = 23). The areas of care most strongly endorsed were general care (62 %), psychosocial support (65 %), and holistic care (68 %). Survivors were less likely to perceive their PCPs as knowledgeable about cancer follow-up (43 %), late or long-term effects of cancer therapy (45 %), and diagnosis and treatment of symptoms related to cancer or cancer therapy (42 %). While 72 % of survivors reported satisfaction with their PCP’s care overall, only 41 % felt that their PCPs and oncologists communicated well with one another. In a multivariate regression analysis, higher trust in PCP (p < 0.001), non-white race (p = 0.001), living in the United States (p = 0.007), and visiting a PCP two or more times per year (p = 0.009) were significantly associated with higher ratings of PCP-delivered survivorship care.

Conclusions

While cancer survivors in general are satisfied with care delivery by PCPs, they perceived that their PCPs have limited abilities in performing cancer-specific follow-up and late effect monitoring and treatment. Better education of family physicians about survivorship issues and improved communication between PCPs and oncologists are needed to improve PCPs’ delivery of survivorship care.
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Metadata
Title
Cancer survivors’ perspectives on delivery of survivorship care by primary care physicians: an internet-based survey
Authors
Ernestina Nyarko
James M. Metz
Giang T. Nguyen
Margaret K. Hampshire
Linda A. Jacobs
Jun J. Mao
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Primary Care / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 2731-4553
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-015-0367-x

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