OA: Caring for cancer survivors: perspectives of oncologists, general practitioners and patients in Italy

Future Oncology, Future Medicine
 Published online: 12 September 2016
 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• There are a growing number of cancer survivors but a gold standard in surveillance management is currently lacking.
• We conducted a national survey: an online questionnaire was filled by 329 medical oncologists, 380 general practitioners (GPs) and 350 patients.
• The questionnaire included demographic information, adherence to guidelines, continuity and coordination of care, opinion on follow-up strategy and patients’ satisfaction.
• Most GPs claim that follow-up should be provided by the collaboration between GPs and medical oncologists, after 2–3 years of disease-free survival.
• The majority of medical oncologists report to have a poor relationship with GPs.
• Patients tend to trust their GPs, but collaboration between medical oncologists and GPs is perceived as poor.
• According to answers provided, the collaboration between oncologists and GPs is considered poor and needs to be improved.
• Analyzing the feedbacks coming from all the actors that take part in this process could help in designing common guidelines that optimize both resources and efficiency.