Tailored chemotherapy (CT) information (info) faxed to general practitioners (GP) improves knowledge and confidence in managing side effects (SFX): Results from a randomized controlled trial (RCT)

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6531 Background: The literature indicates discontinuity in patient (pt) care and poor communication between hospitals and community practice. GPs would like more info about CT, SFX and how to manage these. We aimed to develop standardized info for GPs about CT and to assess the impact of this in an RCT. Primary endpoints were: confidence managing pts having CT, knowledge of CT SFX, and satisfaction with both info and shared care of pts. Secondary endpoints included how useful and instructive GPs found the info. Methods: Peter Mac IRB approved the study. Initial focus group work with GPs informed the development of info about 23 CT regimens. GPs of pts due to commence a CT regimen for the first time were randomized to receive usual correspondence (UC) or UC plus info. Prior to randomization GPs were telephoned and verbal consent obtained. Telephone questionnaire (qstnre) assessed GPs confidence in managing pts and knowledge of CT SFX, as well as satisfaction with info and shared care of pts. GPs in the intervention group were then faxed the relevant info. One week later all GPs were phoned and completed a similar standardized qstnre. Measures used a 5 point scale/range. Results: 97 GPs managed 97 pts receiving 21 types of CT. GPs on average had 27.1 yrs clinical experience (SD=9.8) and were managing 5.5 pts receiving CT (SD=6.8). Of 97 GPs randomized, 81 (83.5%) completed the follow up qstnre. GPs confidence in managing CT SFX was fair at baseline (M=3.34, SD=0.69). GPs in the intervention group demonstrated a significantly greater increase in confidence (difference 0.36; p<0.01) and knowledge of CT SFX - eg febrile neutropenia (diff 0.55; p<0.01) - and close to significant effect for satisfaction with info / shared care (diff 0.35; p=0.051) compared with UC. GPs receiving info + UC also considered it significantly more useful (diff 1.48; p<0.001) and instructive (diff 1.88; p<0.001) than GPs who only received UC. Conclusions: Info about CT faxed to GPs is a simple, inexpensive intervention that increases GPs knowledge of CT SFX and confidence in managing pts. Further, GPs find this info more useful and instructive than UC alone. This intervention could have widespread application. No significant financial relationships to disclose.