Patient, Primary Care Physician and Specialist Expectations of Primary Care Physician Involvement in Cancer Care

Background In Canada, many health authorities recommend that primary care physicians (PCP) stay involved throughout their patients’ cancer journey to increase continuity of care. Few studies have focused on patient and physician expectations regarding PCP involvement in cancer care. Objective To compare lung cancer patient, PCP and specialist expectations regarding PCP involvement in coordination of care, emotional support, information transmission and symptom relief at the different phases of cancer. Design Canadian survey of lung cancer patients, PCPs and cancer specialists Participants A total of 395 patients completed questionnaires on their expectations regarding their PCP participation in several aspects of care, at different phases of their cancer. Also, 45 specialists and 232 community-based PCP involved in these patients’ care responded to a mail survey on the same aspects of cancer care. Results Most specialists did not expect participation of the PCP in coordination of care in the diagnosis and treatment phases (65% and 78% respectively), in contrast with patients (83% and 85%) and PCPs (80% and 59%) (p