GP-led melanoma follow-up: views and feelings of patient recipients.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to explore the practical experiences and feelings of people with cutaneous malignant melanoma about receiving structured melanoma follow-up from their general practitioner (GP) as an alternative to traditional hospital-based follow-up.


METHODS
Semi-structured audio-taped telephone interviews were conducted with patient recipients of a GP-led follow-up programme for people with cutaneous malignant melanoma.


METHODS
Eighteen people with cutaneous malignant melanoma that had received structured GP-led routine follow-up for cutaneous malignant melanoma took part in this study.


RESULTS
GP-led melanoma follow-up worked well from the perspectives patients. Patients appreciated convenience of the system, less rushed appointments with more thorough examinations, a more pleasant atmosphere and greater continuity of care. They regarded the GP-led follow-up positively, irrespective of distance from the major cancer centre. Concerns expressed included awareness that most GPs had less experience of melanoma than hospital specialists.


CONCLUSIONS
GP-led melanoma follow-up is feasible and is generally viewed positively by those patients that have experienced it.
Centre of Academic Primary Care, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill Health Centre, Westburn Road, Aberdeen, AB25 2AY, UK. p.murchie@abdn.ac.uk
Peter
P
Murchie
Elizabeth K
EK
Delaney
Neil C
NC
Campbell
Philip C
PC
Hannaford
D000328:Adult; D000359:Aftercare / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010358:Patient Participation; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011159:Population Surveillance; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016353:Self-Examination; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006113:United Kingdom