Care of the haematology patient and their family--the GP viewpoint.
BACKGROUND
General practitioners play an important role in both the care of patients diagnosed with a haematological malignancy, and their families, along the continuum of care from the point of diagnosis to bereavement. There is scant research available on this experience from the GP perspective. This article presents insights from GPs who participated in a national study to develop a model of care in haematology.


METHODS
Data was collected for this descriptive phenomenological study through open ended interviews. The two GP interviews were part of a national sample (n=96) from four states involving a diverse cross section of health professionals and consumers.


RESULTS
The findings outline the GPs' perspective on their roles, provides insight into their concerns, and makes suggestions for ensuring quality work with haematology patients and their families.


CONCLUSIONS
The insights indicate that GPs want to be involved along the continuum of care and because of their holistic knowledge of the patient and their family, are well placed to provide leadership in the coordination of community based care.
McGrath
Pam
P
International Program of Psycho-Social Health Research (IPP-SHR), Central Queensland University, Queensland, Australia. pam_mcgrath@bigpond.com
D001315:Australia; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D010166:Palliative Care; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research