title: Bridging the gap between primary care and the cancer system: the UPCON Network of CancerCare Manitoba.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Patient care is poorly coordinated between family physicians and the cancer system and the working relationships are not strong.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To improve integration of patient care and communication between FPs and cancer specialists; enhance FPs' knowledge of cancer and the cancer system; and promote the role of primary care within the cancer care system.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Uniting Primary Care and Oncology (UPCON) Network of CancerCare Manitoba has created partnerships with 12 primary care clinics in Winnipeg, Man, by providing the following: access to the provincial electronic medical record for cancer; small group continuing professional development for a "lead physician" from each clinic to make him or her the local cancer resource; educational outreach to all clinic staff; and changes within CancerCare Manitoba to highlight the role of FPs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lead physicians are appreciated by their clinic colleagues, and these FPs are the main users of the cancer electronic medical record. A strong cancer continuing professional development program has been implemented and a voice for primary care has been created within the agency. The UPCON Network is now expanding throughout Manitoba.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, University of Manitoba. jeff.sisler@cancercare.mb.ca
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sisler
authors.forename: Pat
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McCormack-Speak
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008350:Manitoba; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015397:Program Evaluation