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

The present survey investigates the views of medical oncologists, general practitioners (GPs) and patients about the various surveillance strategies. An online survey was conducted in Italy on a population of 329 medical oncologists, 380 GPs and 350 patients. Most of GPs (n = 291; 76%) claim that follow-up should be provided by the collaboration between GPs and medical oncologists. Most medical oncologists report to have a poor relationship with GPs (n = 151; 46%) or no relationships at all (n = 14; 4%). Most patients believe there is no real collaboration between medical oncologists and GPs (n = 138; 54%). GPs, medical oncologists and patients share the idea that the collaboration between oncologists and GPs for surveillance of cancer survivors is poor and should be improved.