Patients' perspectives on the role of their general practitioner after receiving an advanced cancer diagnosis

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. Par...

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Main Authors: Halkett, Georgia, Jiwa, Moyez, Lobb, E.
Format: Journal Article
Published: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd. 2015
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/44917
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author Halkett, Georgia
Jiwa, Moyez
Lobb, E.
author_facet Halkett, Georgia
Jiwa, Moyez
Lobb, E.
author_sort Halkett, Georgia
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description 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 GPs to have varying levels of involvement following an advanced cancer diagnosis. Not all communication between GPs 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 GPs to increase their role in the management of advanced cancer.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-449172017-09-13T14:17:05Z Patients' perspectives on the role of their general practitioner after receiving an advanced cancer diagnosis Halkett, Georgia Jiwa, Moyez Lobb, E. communication advanced cancer general practitioners radiotherapy 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 GPs to have varying levels of involvement following an advanced cancer diagnosis. Not all communication between GPs 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 GPs to increase their role in the management of advanced cancer. 2015 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/44917 10.1111/ecc.12224 Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd. restricted
spellingShingle communication
advanced cancer
general practitioners
radiotherapy
Halkett, Georgia
Jiwa, Moyez
Lobb, E.
Patients' perspectives on the role of their general practitioner after receiving an advanced cancer diagnosis
title Patients' perspectives on the role of their general practitioner after receiving an advanced cancer diagnosis
title_full Patients' perspectives on the role of their general practitioner after receiving an advanced cancer diagnosis
title_fullStr Patients' perspectives on the role of their general practitioner after receiving an advanced cancer diagnosis
title_full_unstemmed Patients' perspectives on the role of their general practitioner after receiving an advanced cancer diagnosis
title_short Patients' perspectives on the role of their general practitioner after receiving an advanced cancer diagnosis
title_sort patients' perspectives on the role of their general practitioner after receiving an advanced cancer diagnosis
topic communication
advanced cancer
general practitioners
radiotherapy
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/44917