Journal article
The Role of Primary Care Physicians in Cancer Care
Journal of general internal medicine : JGIM, Vol.24(9), pp.1029-1036
09/01/2009
DOI: 10.1007/s11606-009-1058-x
PMCID: PMC2726889
PMID: 19597893
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The demand for oncology services in the United States (US) is increasing, whereas a shortage of oncologists looms. There is the need for a better understanding of the involvement of primary care physicians (PCPs) in cancer care.
OBJECTIVE: To characterize the role of PCPs in cancer care, compare it with that of oncologists, and identify factors explaining greater PCP involvement in cancer care.
DESIGN: National survey of physicians caring for cancer patients conducted by the Cancer Care Outcomes Research and Surveillance Consortium.
PARTICIPANTS: 1694 PCPs; 1621 oncologists.
MEASUREMENTS: Questionnaires mailed during 2005 and 2006 examined the participation of physicians in 12 aspects of care for cancer patients.
MAIN RESULTS: Over 90% of PCPs fulfilled general medical care roles for patients with cancer such as managing comorbid conditions, chronic pain, or depression; establishing do-not-resuscitate status; and referring patients to hospice. Oncologists were less involved in these roles. Determining the treatment preferences of individual patients and deciding on the use of surgery were the only cancer care roles in which >= 50% of PCPs participated. Twenty-two percent of PCPs reported no direct involvement in cancer care roles while 19% reported heavy involvement. PCPs who were aged >= 50 years, were internists or geriatricians, taught medical students, saw more cancer patients, or experienced referral barriers fulfilled more roles. Rural practice location was not associated with greater PCP involvement in cancer care.
CONCLUSIONS: PCPs across the US have an active role in cancer patient management. Determining the optimal interface between PCPs and oncologists in delivering and coordinating cancer care is an important area for future research.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The Role of Primary Care Physicians in Cancer Care
- Creators
- Carrie N. Klabunde - National Cancer InstituteAnita Ambs - National Cancer InstituteNancy L. Keating - Brigham and Women's HospitalYulei He - Harvard Medical SchoolWilliam R. Doucette - University of IowaDiana Tisnado - University of California, Los AngelesSteven Clauser - National Cancer InstituteKatherine L. Kahn - RAND Corporation
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of general internal medicine : JGIM, Vol.24(9), pp.1029-1036
- DOI
- 10.1007/s11606-009-1058-x
- PMID
- 19597893
- PMCID
- PMC2726889
- NLM abbreviation
- J Gen Intern Med
- ISSN
- 0884-8734
- eISSN
- 1525-1497
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Number of pages
- 8
- Grant note
- U01 CA093344; U01 CA093332; U01 CA093324; U01 CA093348; U01 CA093329; U01 CA01013; U01 CA093326 / National Cancer Institute; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH National Cancer Institute (NCI) U01CA093324; U01CA093344; U01CA093332; K08CA001013; U01CA093326; U01CA093329; U01CA093348 / NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH National Cancer Institute (NCI) U01 CDA093344; HARO 03-438MO-03 / Department of Veteran's Affairs; US Department of Veterans Affairs
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 09/01/2009
- Academic Unit
- Pharmacy Practice and Science
- Record Identifier
- 9984365899802771
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