title: Patients' perspectives on the role of their general practitioner after receiving an advanced cancer diagnosis.
abstract: The aim of this study was to explore patients' perspectives on the role of their general practitioner (GP) after an advanced cancer diagnosis. A qualitative research approach was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and data were analysed using a constant comparative methodology. Participants were eligible if they were diagnosed with advanced cancer and referred for palliative radiotherapy. Data saturation was achieved after 21 interviews. Key themes included (1) obtaining diagnosis and referral for advanced cancer treatment; (2) preference for specialist oncology care; (3) a preference for GP to act as an advocate; and (4) obtaining ongoing routine care from their GP. GP involvement in the patients' management was dependent on: time since diagnosis, GP's involvement in diagnosis and referral, doctor/patient relationship, additional chronic conditions requiring management, frequency of seeing oncologist and specialist recommendation to involve GP. Patients want GPs to have varying levels of involvement following an advanced cancer diagnosis. Not all communication between GPs and patients was positive suggesting communication skills training may be a priority. Patients wished to maintain continunity of care for their non-cancer related issues and healthcare of their family members. Future research needs to focus on working with GPs to increase their role in the management of advanced cancer.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: G K B
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Halkett
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Education, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jiwa
authors.affiliation: Calvary Health Care Sydney and Cunningham Centre for Palliative Care, Sydney, NSW, Australia.|School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Lobb
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003142:Communication; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D005260:Female; D058005:General Practitioners; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D057240:Patient Preference; D010819:Physician's Role; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D014904:Western Australia
keywords: advanced cancer; communication; general practitioners; radiotherapy