Optimizing the integration of family physicians into cancer survivorship care in the BC Interior: a mixed methods study of physicians' opinions and experiences.

Abstract

Purpose: With cancer diagnoses increasing worldwide and the number of cancer survivors rising, family physicians are being increasingly relied upon to provide post-cancer treatment care and/or survivorship care. This mixed-method study explores and evaluates barriers and facilitators to optimizing family physician-led survivorship care in the largely rural Interior of British Columbia (BC), Canada.

Methods: A mixed-method approach consisting of quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews was utilized to explore family physician and oncologist perspectives on the current state of survivorship care for breast, lung, prostate, and colorectal cancers within the BC Interior.

Results: Concerns about family physician knowledge in some aspects of survivorship care were identified by both groups, with mixed responses regarding geographical factors, resources, and communication networks. Success was dependent on information from oncologists with more common cancer sites fitting the model better. There was significant concern for individuals with no family physician. Five frequently discussed facilitators were identified: (1) providing accessible survivorship guidelines, (2) standardized discharge summaries (i.e., survivorship care plans), (3) clear points-of-contact at cancer care centers, (4) more educational opportunities, and (5) compatible electronic supports between care providers.

Conclusions: Overall, the model of family physician-led survivorship care was supported by family physicians and oncologists within the BC Interior, although success was dependent on several factors. Identifying the perspectives of physicians directly involved in the survivorship care pathway will be instrumental in developing and implementing solutions that will succeed within the BC Interior and similar regions. Implication to for Cancer Survivors We hope that the improvements to interprofessional cooperation driven by our research may improve the quality and continuity of care received by cancer survivors in British Columbia and beyond.  IMPLICATION TO CANCER SURVIVORS: We hope that the improvements to interprofessional cooperation driven by our research may improve the quality and continuity of care received by cancer survivors in British Columbia and beyond.