Physicians' experience with follow-up care of childhood cancer survivors - challenges and needs.
- Michel G Department of Health Sciences and Health Policy, University of Lucerne, Switzerland.
- Gianinazzi ME Department of Health Sciences and Health Policy, University of Lucerne, Switzerland.
- Vetsch J Department of Health Sciences and Health Policy, University of Lucerne, Switzerland.
- Mader L Department of Health Sciences and Health Policy, University of Lucerne, Switzerland.
- Lupatsch JE Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland.
- von der Weid NX Department of Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, University Children's Hospital Basel (UKBB), Switzerland.
- Rueegg CS Department of Health Sciences and Health Policy, University of Lucerne, Switzerland; Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway.
- 2017-07-20
Published in:
- Swiss medical weekly. - 2017
Adolescent
Aftercare
Age Factors
Cancer Survivors
Child
Continuity of Patient Care
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
General Practitioners
Humans
Male
Medical Oncology
Oncologists
Pediatrics
Physicians
Surveys and Questionnaires
Switzerland
Transition to Adult Care
Young Adult
English
BACKGROUND
Regular follow-up care is essential for childhood cancer survivors, but we know little about physicians' experience with it. We aimed to describe: (1) involvement of Swiss physicians in follow-up care; (2) content of follow-up care provided; (3) problems encountered; and (4) additional resources needed.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Within this cross-sectional survey we sent adapted questionnaires via professional associations to a sample of medical oncologists (MOs), paediatric oncologists (POs), general practitioners (GPs) and paediatricians (P) in Switzerland. Only oncologists involved in follow-up care were asked to report problems. GPs and Ps not involved in follow-up could indicate why. All physicians were asked about the content of follow-up care provided and additional resources needed.
RESULTS
A total of 183 physicians responded (27 MO, 13 PO, 122 GP, 21 P). Involved in follow-up were 81% of MOs, 85% of POs, 39% of GPs and 81% of Ps. Follow-up content differed between oncologists (MO and PO) and generalists (GP and P), with generalists examining or informing less in regard to the former cancer. POs reported more problems than MOs: many POs reported problems with transition of survivors to adult care (91%), and because of financial resources (73%) and time restraints (73%). MOs reported most problems during transition (23%). Not being aware of a survivor was the most common reason for GPs and Ps not participating in follow-up (74%). All groups reported a need for standardised protocols (85-91%) and specialised training (55-73%). GPs (94%) and Ps (100%) additionally desired more support from oncologists.
CONCLUSIONS
To improve quality and efficiency of follow-up care a national follow-up care model including standardised protocols and guidelines needs to be developed.
Regular follow-up care is essential for childhood cancer survivors, but we know little about physicians' experience with it. We aimed to describe: (1) involvement of Swiss physicians in follow-up care; (2) content of follow-up care provided; (3) problems encountered; and (4) additional resources needed.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Within this cross-sectional survey we sent adapted questionnaires via professional associations to a sample of medical oncologists (MOs), paediatric oncologists (POs), general practitioners (GPs) and paediatricians (P) in Switzerland. Only oncologists involved in follow-up care were asked to report problems. GPs and Ps not involved in follow-up could indicate why. All physicians were asked about the content of follow-up care provided and additional resources needed.
RESULTS
A total of 183 physicians responded (27 MO, 13 PO, 122 GP, 21 P). Involved in follow-up were 81% of MOs, 85% of POs, 39% of GPs and 81% of Ps. Follow-up content differed between oncologists (MO and PO) and generalists (GP and P), with generalists examining or informing less in regard to the former cancer. POs reported more problems than MOs: many POs reported problems with transition of survivors to adult care (91%), and because of financial resources (73%) and time restraints (73%). MOs reported most problems during transition (23%). Not being aware of a survivor was the most common reason for GPs and Ps not participating in follow-up (74%). All groups reported a need for standardised protocols (85-91%) and specialised training (55-73%). GPs (94%) and Ps (100%) additionally desired more support from oncologists.
CONCLUSIONS
To improve quality and efficiency of follow-up care a national follow-up care model including standardised protocols and guidelines needs to be developed.
- Language
-
- English
- Open access status
- gold
- Identifiers
-
- DOI 10.4414/smw.2017.14457
- PMID 28722079
- Persistent URL
- https://sonar.ch/global/documents/184954
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