Views of health professionals on the role of primary care in the follow-up of men with prostate cancer.

Journal article

BACKGROUND: Follow-up care for prostate cancer has traditionally been led by secondary care in hospital out-patient clinics. As the number of men with prostate cancer increases and secondary care resources face pressure, alternative follow-up models are being sought. Current National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidance recommends follow-up outside the hospital setting for patients who are stable 2 years following radical treatment and for those undergoing 'watchful waiting'. OBJECTIVE: To describe current practice in a sample of relevant health care professionals and to seek their views on the role of primary care in prostate cancer follow-up. METHODS: Semi-structured telephone interviews with 38 UK health care professionals, from both secondary and primary care. Transcripts were analysed using the constant comparative method. RESULTS: There are marked variations in current follow-up practice around the country, with hospital-based follow-up ranging from 6 months to lifetime. The predominant, although not universal, view expressed was that there is both scope and support for primary care to play a greater role, particularly for men with stable disease. This was qualified by the need for supporting education, including guidance on interpretation of prostate-specific antigen values, introduction of robust follow-up systems in primary care, easy access back into secondary (hospital) care, a mechanism for ensuring follow-up data can still be collected for audit purposes and appropriate resourcing. CONCLUSIONS: If primary care is to play a significant role in providing high-quality follow-up care for men with prostate cancer, then steps need to be taken to address the barriers to increased primary care involvement identified by this study.

Authors: Watson, E; O'Brien, R; Campbell, C; Weller, D; Neal, R

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Family practice
• Volume: 28
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 647-654
• Publication date: 2011-12-01
• DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmr034
• EISSN: 1460-2229
• ISSN: 0263-2136
• Language: English
• Keywords: Continuity of Patient Care; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Services Needs and Demand; Prostatic Neoplasms; Prostate Cancer Follow-Up Study Group; Great Britain; Humans; Aftercare; Primary Health Care; Interviews as Topic; Qualitative Research; Attitude of Health Personnel; Male; Physician's Role