Results of a survey on practices in onco-hematology in France in 2001

Further to the organisation of out-patient management, it appeared necessary to understand the type of organisation of the hospital teams working in oncology and haematology. Questions were asked on the medical workforce in the hospital, the rules for the organisation of the management fo these patients, the type of organisation in the patients homes and the choice of treatment. THE PERCENTAGE OF RESPONSE: Thiry-one centres (46%) replied to the survey: 20 hospital centres with 5 departments of paediatrics and 11 oncology departments. Around two thirds of the centres in France confronted with short lasting neutropenia with fever opted for their treatment at home. WHAT IS IMPORTANT: Although the responsibility of those surrounding the patient and that of the treating physician are clearly implied, the general practitioner frequently has no access to training or to the information necessary to be able to manage the initial assessment and the potentially unfavourable evolution. And this is the pivotal point of the external hospital treatment system.