ROLE OF FAMILY MEDICINE IN CANCER PATIENT CARE: A REVIEW

Abstract

According to one definition, Family Medicine is a specialty that provides the provision of ongoing, comprehensive medical treatment to patients within the setting of their families and communities. Acute and chronic care, identification of family and social needs, long-term support, epidemiologic awareness, and treatment of unexplained illness are all included in continuing whole-patient care. This review aimed to summarize the updated evidence considering the role of Family Medicine in the care and management of cancer patients. PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, EBSCO, SCOPUS, Wiley, and Cochrane Library were searched. Study articles were screened by title and abstract then a full-text assessment was implemented. Family Physician (FP) plays a crucial part in providing care for a patient with cancer. There have been many different roles for doctors identified, and these responsibilities differ greatly depending on whether the practice takes place in an urban or rural clinical setting. Alongside surgical, medical, and radiation oncology specialists, FPs commonly provide care for patients with breast and gastrointestinal cancer. They also work with gynecologic, hematologic, and paediatric cancer patient populations. The management of treatment-related physical and psychosocial side effects, the provision of follow-up care for cancer survivors, and palliative medicine are examples of typical tasks and responsibilities. In addition, the FP support clinical trials, research focused on genetics, and high-risk population cancers.