Abstract
BackgroundShared decision making (SDM) is considered important to realise personalised cancer care. Increased GP involvement after a diagnosis is advocated to improve SDM.AimTo explore whether patients with cancer are in need of GP involvement in cancer care in general and in SDM, and whether GP involvement occurs.Design & settingAn online national survey was distributed by the Dutch Federation of Cancer Patient Organisations (NFK) in May 2019.MethodThe survey was sent to (former) patients with cancer. Topics included GP involvement in cancer care in general and in SDM. Descriptive statistics and quotes were used.ResultsAmong 4763 (former) patients with cancer, 59% (n = 2804) expressed a need for GP involvement in cancer care. Of these patients, 79% (n = 2193) experienced GP involvement. Regarding GP involvement in SDM, 82% of patients (n = 3724) expressed that the GP should 'listen to patients' worries and considerations', 69% (n = 3130) to 'check patients' understanding of information', 66% (n = 3006) to 'discuss patients' priorities in life and the consequences of treatment options for these priorities', and 67% (n = 3045) to 'create awareness of the patient’s role in the decision making'. This happened in 47%, 17%, 15% and 10% of these patients, respectively.ConclusionThe majority of (former) patients with cancer expressed a need for active GP involvement in cancer care. GP support in the fundamental SDM steps is presently insufficient. Therefore, GPs should be made aware of these needs and enabled to support their patients with cancer in SDM.
Highlights
Cancer treatment decisions have become more complex, owing to the increasing number of treatment options
The majority of patients with cancer expressed a need for active GP involvement in cancer care
GPs should be made aware of these needs and enabled to support their patients with cancer in Shared decision making (SDM)
Summary
Cancer treatment decisions have become more complex, owing to the increasing number of treatment options. Patients with cancer are often unaware of their important role in choosing the ‘best-fitting’ treatment.[3] Second, medical information, including treatment options, is often not understood by patients with cancer.[4] Third, time for deliberation is often limited, since the short in-h ospital pathway between diagnosis and treatment choice generally does not facilitate reflection. This leaves little room to consider treatment options in the light of patients' personal preferences and expectations.[3,5,6]. Increased GP involvement after a diagnosis is advocated to improve SDM
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