title: "We talk it over"--mixed-method study of interdisciplinary collaborations in private practice among urologists and oncologists in Germany.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Utilisation of multidisciplinary teams is considered the best approach to care and treatment for cancer patients. However, the multidisciplinary approach has mainly focused on inpatient care rather than routine outpatient care. The situation in private practice care and outpatient care is gradually changing. We aimed to 1), investigate interdisciplinary cooperations in the care of tumor patients among urologists and oncologists in the community setting, 2), establish an estimate of the prevalence of cooperation among oncologists and organ-specific providers in community settings in Germany and 3), characterise existing cooperations among oncologists and urologists.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted simultaneously a cross-sectional survey with private practice urologists (n=1,925) and a qualitative study consisting of semi-structured interviews with urologists and oncologists (n=42), primarily with private practices, who had indicated cooperation the care of urological tumor patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most of the participants (66%) treated their own tumor patients. When physicians referred patients, they did so for co- and subsequent treatments (43%). Most cooperating urologists were satisfied with the partnership and appreciated the competency of their partners. Qualitative interviews revealed two types of collaboration in the community setting: formal and informal. Collaborations were usually ongoing with many physicians and depended equally on both patient preference and diagnosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Joint patient treatment requires clear delineation of roles and responsibilities and simple means of communication. Formal frameworks should allow for incorporation of patients' critical role in collaboration decisions in treatment and care.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Beermann
authors.forename: Denny
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chakkalakal
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Muckelbauer
authors.forename: Lothar
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Weißbach
authors.affiliation: Berlin School of Public Health, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Seestr 73, Haus 10, 10117 Berlin, Germany. christine.holmberg@charite.de.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Holmberg
mesh_terms: D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010820:Physicians; D011331:Private Practice; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D014572:Urology