title: Do patients with long-term side effects of cancer treatment benefit from general practitioner support? A literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Alongside specialist cancer clinics, general practitioners have an important role in cancer patients' follow-up care, yet no literature summarises the nature, extent and impact of their involvement. This paper addresses this issue through a review of the literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies were sourced from six academic databases - AustHealth (n = 202), CINAHL (n = 500), the Cochrane Library (reviews and trials; n = 200), Embase (n = 368), PHCRIS (n = 132) and PubMed/Medline (n = 410). Studies that focused on interventions designed for patients receiving follow-up care and reported cancer care provided by a general practitioner delivered alongside specialist care were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 19 papers were identified as relevant for this review (3 randomised control trials; 4 cross-sectional, 5 cohort and 3 qualitative studies, and 3 systematic reviews). The reviewed studies indicated that providing general practitioner-led supportive interventions for post-treatment care of cancer patients is feasible and acceptable to patients. General practitioner involvement resulted in improved physical and psychosocial well-being of patients and continuity of care, especially for patients with concomitant health conditions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Involving general practitioners in post-treatment cancer care is beneficial to patients. However, proactive initiatives that encourage and facilitate patients to consult their general practitioner about their needs or symptoms of recurrence should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Curtin University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bentley, Perth, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ngune
authors.affiliation: Curtin University, Medical Education, Bentley, Perth, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Moyez
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jiwa
authors.affiliation: Curtin University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bentley, Perth, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McManus
authors.affiliation: Curtin University, School of Pharmacy, Bentley, Perth, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hughes
keywords: cancer; follow-up care; integrated care; primary health care; supportive care