The role of the nurse in colorectal cancer follow up.
The follow up of patients after colorectal cancer surgery remains controversial. It may be intensive or minimal. The authors describe an intensive follow-up regimen and discuss the leading role of the colorectal specialist nurse. In the absence of evidence from randomized trials, the most persuasive arguments for routine follow up are patient support and audit.
Fitzgerald-Smith
Angela M
AM
Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust, Royal Liverpool Hospital, Liverpool L7 8XP.
Srivastava
Pankaj
P
Hershman
Michael J
MJ
D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000451:nursing; D009720:Nurse Clinicians; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012944:Social Support; D006113:United Kingdom