A new role for nurses as Primary Care Cancer Lead Clinicians in Primary Care Trusts in England.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the Primary Care Cancer Lead Clinician initiative in England. One of the objectives was to examine the impact of the Primary Care Cancer Lead Clinicians' clinical background on how they perform their role. This study compares nurses and General Practitioners in the Primary Care Cancer Lead Clinician role.


BACKGROUND
The Primary Care Cancer Lead Clinician initiative developed from the National Health Service Cancer Plan. Primary Care Cancer Lead Clinicians are expected to work strategically to raise the standards of cancer care within primary care.


METHODS
A postal questionnaire survey was sent to Primary Care Cancer Lead Clinicians and one manager in each Primary Care Trust in England. Telephonic interviews were also undertaken with a range of stakeholders in six case study areas.


RESULTS
There were striking similarities between nurses and General Practitioners in the Primary Care Cancer Lead Clinician role. Differences related to the wider roles of the two groups. Nurses placed greater emphasis on fitting in whereas General Practitioners were more likely to expect to take charge and look for administrative support.


CONCLUSIONS
There is evidence to show that whether the Primary Care Cancer Lead Clinician was a nurse or a General Practitioner was less important than having local credibility and the support of their Primary Care Trust.
Leese
Brenda
B
Primary Care Research, Centre for Research in Primary Care, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK. b.leese@leeds.ac.uk
Allgar
Victoria
V
Heywood
Phil
P
Walker
Reg
R
Darr
Aamra
A
Din
Ikhlaq
I
West
Robert M
RM
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D004739:England; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007857:Leadership; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010819:Physician's Role / Q000523:psychology; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support; D013222:State Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires