title: Oncologists and family physicians. Using a standardized letter to improve communication.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Communication between oncologists at a regional cancer centre and family physicians caring for palliative cancer patients in the community was ineffective.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To improve communication between oncologists and family physicians by routine use of a template for dictated letters concerning follow-up care.
  
  
  METHODS
  A consultation letter template was constructed and tested at a single clinic. The template was designed to guide oncologists dictating letters to family physicians for patients' follow-up visits. Effectiveness of the standardized letter was evaluated with a before-after survey.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using the template letter improved communication with respect to the relevance, timeliness, format, and amount of information. As care for patients at the end of life increasingly shifts to the community, ongoing efforts are required to improve communication between cancer centres and primary care physicians.
authors.affiliation: Calgary Regional Palliative & Hospice Care Service, Alberta. ted.braun@calgaryhealthregion.ca
authors.forename: Ted C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.forename: Neil A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Hagen
authors.forename: Colum
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Summers
mesh_terms: D002173:Cancer Care Facilities; D003142:Communication; D015709:Correspondence as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008495:Medical Oncology; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010821:Physicians, Family; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012017:Referral and Consultation