Follow-up of patients with haematological malignancies and their families in regional, rural and remote Queensland: the GPs' perspective.
In rural areas of Australia the range of health services is limited and major inequities exist in health care provision. Consequently, general practitioners (GPs) are forced to play a pivotal role as key providers of health and medical services. Patients with a haematological malignancy returning home from the lengthy ordeal of high-tech specialist treatment in the metropolitan area will have a strong need for competent holistic support. For these patients and their families, establishing a positive relationship with the local GP will be an important factor in their post-treatment rehabilitation. The findings presented in this article are from recent Queensland research that looks at the support provided by GPs in regional, rural, and remote areas for patients with a haematological malignancy after they return home from specialist treatment in the metropolitan area. The findings indicate the need for support and education for GPs coping with such patients. Newsletters and telephone contact are recorded as the most popular means of support by the GPs surveyed.
McGrath
P
P
Centre for Public Health Research, Queensland University of Technology, Red Hill, Australia. p.mcgrath@qut.edu.au
D000359:Aftercare / Q000592:standards; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011793:Queensland; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires