RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 GP involvement after a cancer diagnosis; patients’ call to improve decision support
JF BJGP Open
JO BJGP Open
FD Royal College of General Practitioners
SP bjgpopen20X101124
DO 10.3399/bjgpopen20X101124
VO 5
IS 1
A1 Noteboom, Eveline A
A1 Perfors, Ietje AA
A1 May, Anne M
A1 Stegmann, Mariken E
A1 Duijts, Saskia FA
A1 Visserman, Ella A
A1 Engelen, Vivian
A1 Richel, Carol
A1 van der Wall, Elsken
A1 de Wit, Niek
A1 Helsper, Charles W
YR 2021
UL http://bjgpopen.org/content/5/1/bjgpopen20X101124.abstract
AB Background Shared decision making (SDM) is considered important to realise personalised cancer care. Increased GP involvement after a diagnosis is advocated to improve SDM.Aim To explore whether patients with cancer are in need of GP involvement in cancer care in general and in SDM, and whether GP involvement occurs.Design & setting An online national survey was distributed by the Dutch Federation of Cancer Patient Organisations (NFK) in May 2019.Method The survey was sent to (former) patients with cancer. Topics included GP involvement in cancer care in general and in SDM. Descriptive statistics and quotes were used.Results Among 4763 (former) patients with cancer, 59% (n = 2804) expressed a need for GP involvement in cancer care. Of these patients, 79% (n = 2193) experienced GP involvement. Regarding GP involvement in SDM, 82% of patients (n = 3724) expressed that the GP should 'listen to patients' worries and considerations', 69% (n = 3130) to 'check patients' understanding of information', 66% (n = 3006) to 'discuss patients' priorities in life and the consequences of treatment options for these priorities', and 67% (n = 3045) to 'create awareness of the patient’s role in the decision making'. This happened in 47%, 17%, 15% and 10% of these patients, respectively.Conclusion The majority of (former) patients with cancer expressed a need for active GP involvement in cancer care. GP support in the fundamental SDM steps is presently insufficient. Therefore, GPs should be made aware of these needs and enabled to support their patients with cancer in SDM.