title: Preparing general practitioners to receive cancer patients following treatment in secondary care: a qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many patients consider the interface between secondary and primary care difficult, and in particular, the transition of care between these different parts of the healthcare system presents problems. This interface has long been recognized as a critical point for quality of care. The purpose of our study is to formulate solutions to problems identified by cancer patients and healthcare professionals during the transition from hospital back to general practice on completion of primary treatment for cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative study based on focus groups at a seminar for professionals in both primary and secondary healthcare. Participants discussed solutions to problems which had previously been identified in patient interviews and in focus groups with general practitioners (GPs), hospital doctors, and nursing staff. The data were analyzed using framework analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Solutions, endorsed by all groups at the seminar to improve transition back to general practice after primary treatment for cancer, were: 1) To add nurses' discharge letters addressing psychosocial matters to medical discharge letters; 2) To send medical discharge letters earlier from some hospital departments to GPs; 3) To provide plans and future affiliations for patients when they leave a department, and 4) To arrange a return visit to general practice dedicated to discussion of the patients' cancer disease and the treatment experience.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The transition of care of cancer patients appears too complex to be coordinated by administrative standards alone. We recommend that healthcare professionals are more engaged and present in the coordination of care across organizational boundaries.
authors.affiliation: The Research Unit and Section of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, 5, Øster Farimagsgade, Postbox 2099, , 1014, Copenhagen K, Denmark. anngu@sund.ku.dk.
authors.forename: Ann Dorrit
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Guassora
authors.affiliation: PAVI, Knowledge Center for Rehabilitation and Palliative Care, National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, 5A, Øster Farimagsgade 5A, 2nd floor, 1353, Copenhagen, Denmark. ljarlbaek@sdu.dk.
authors.forename: Lene
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jarlbaek
authors.affiliation: The Research Unit and Section of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, 5, Øster Farimagsgade, Postbox 2099, , 1014, Copenhagen K, Denmark. tthorsen@sund.ku.dk.
authors.forename: Thorkil
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Thorsen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010360:Patient Transfer; D011320:Primary Health Care; D036301:Qualitative Research; D063127:Secondary Health Care