title: Implementing a Continuity of Cancer Care nursing role into a New Zealand primary health organisation - the patient's perspective.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A Continuity of Cancer Care pilot project was established in two urban general practices, with the goal of improving cancer care and patient access to services. Practice nurses were engaged as coordinators to implement a model of care and patient navigation to offer continued and consistent care, and to assist the patient to navigate their cancer experience.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Continuity of Cancer Care pilot project.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients enrolled in the pilot project were invited to participate. Each participant completed a Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire and SF-12 Health Survey, and was then invited to take part in an interview. The evaluation framework utilised concepts of informational, management and relational continuity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The SF-12 subcategories of physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain and role emotional were lower than other results from cancer patients in the literature. The Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire and interviews indicated patients were satisfied with the relational continuity components of the project, but that gaps existed within the management and informational continuity aspects of care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, the participants were satisfied with the Continuity of Cancer Care programme and valued the support, clarification and listening aspects of the programme. However, when evaluated in relation to a more comprehensive definition of continuity of care, there were distinct gaps. While the relational aspects of continuity of care were mostly achieved, the management and informational aspects appeared to be limited primarily to nurses acting to interpret hospital and general practitioner comments for patients.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Eastern Institute of Technology, Taradale, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Gill
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scrymgeour
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Forrest
authors.forename: Bob
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Marshall
mesh_terms: D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D009520:New Zealand; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011320:Primary Health Care; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires