Table 2. GP communication strategies in comparison with the NICE NG12 guidelines

NG12 guidance 1.14 patient information and support	GP communication strategies
1.14.3 Explain to people who are being referred with suspected cancer that they are being referred to a cancer service. Reassure them, as appropriate, that most people referred will not have a diagnosis of cancer, and discuss alternative diagnoses with them [2015]	In n = 8 consultations, GPs told their patient that they were referring the patient to a cancer service. In n = 4 consultations, no mention of a cancer service was made. In the 8 consultations where GPs did inform their patient that they were referring them to a cancer service, GPs used reassurance. In n = 6 consultations, GPs offered patients both cancer and alternative diagnoses (four of which were initiated by the GP and two by patients). In n = 2 consultations, the GP mentioned only the cancer diagnosis, in n = 3 consultations there was symptom-directed language only and in n = 1 consultations only the alternative diagnosis was mentioned.
1.14.5 The information given to people with suspected cancer and their families and/or carers should cover, among other issues: • where the person is being referred to • how long they will have to wait for the appointment • how to obtain further information about the type of cancer suspected or help before the specialist appointment • what to expect from the service the person will be attending • what type of tests may be carried out, and what will happen during diagnostic procedures • how long it will take to get a diagnosis or test results • whether they can take someone with them to the appointment • who to contact if they do not receive confirmation of an appointment • other sources of support [2015]	In this dataset, in only one patient’s case did the GP not mention that the patient would be seen by a specialist within 2 weeks. In seven patients’ cases GPs informed patients where they would be seen (that is, the name of the hospital or clinic) In four patients’ cases, GPs spoke about the type of tests that might be carried out. No GP spoke about sources of support for the patient while they were waiting for the referral, whether the patient could take anyone with them, how to obtain further information and help and what to expect from the service

NG12 guidance 1.14 patient information and support

GP communication strategies

1.14.3 Explain to people who are being referred with suspected cancer that they are being referred to a cancer service.
Reassure them, as appropriate, that most people referred will not have a diagnosis of cancer, and discuss alternative diagnoses with them [2015]

In n = 8 consultations, GPs told their patient that they were referring the patient to a cancer service. In n = 4 consultations, no mention of a cancer service was made.
In the 8 consultations where GPs did inform their patient that they were referring them to a cancer service, GPs used reassurance.
In n = 6 consultations, GPs offered patients both cancer and alternative diagnoses (four of which were initiated by the GP and two by patients). In n = 2 consultations, the GP mentioned only the cancer diagnosis, in n = 3 consultations there was symptom-directed language only and in n = 1 consultations only the alternative diagnosis was mentioned.

1.14.5 The information given to people with suspected cancer and their families and/or carers should cover, among other issues:

• where the person is being referred to
• how long they will have to wait for the appointment
• how to obtain further information about the type of cancer suspected or help before the specialist appointment
• what to expect from the service the person will be attending
• what type of tests may be carried out, and what will happen during diagnostic procedures
• how long it will take to get a diagnosis or test results
• whether they can take someone with them to the appointment
• who to contact if they do not receive confirmation of an appointment
• other sources of support [2015]

In this dataset, in only one patient’s case did the GP not mention that the patient would be seen by a specialist within 2 weeks. In seven patients’ cases GPs informed patients where they would be seen (that is, the name of the hospital or clinic)
In four patients’ cases, GPs spoke about the type of tests that might be carried out. No GP spoke about sources of support for the patient while they were waiting for the referral, whether the patient could take anyone with them, how to obtain further information and help and what to expect from the service

NICE = National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.