Primary care providers and their needs caring for cancer survivors: a qualitative study.

Abstract

Purpose: To enhance survivorship care, we explored primary care providers' (PCPs) preferences and needs related to treatment summary and survivorship care plans (TS/SCPs) as a communication tool and PCPs' general thoughts related to barriers in managing the care of cancer survivors.

Methods: We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews via video with PCPs within primary care practice networks in the Pacific Northwest. A codebook was developed with the interview guide as a template. Directed content analysis was used to analyze PCP reported challenges, supports needed, and TS/SCP feedback.

Results: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 18 PCPs. The majority were female (72%) and non-Hispanic White (94%), with 56% from urban areas and with varied amounts of time in clinical practice (median 4.5 years, range 0.5-47). PCPs reported common challenges caring for cancer survivors (e.g., unsure what surveillance is needed) and supports needed to improve care (e.g., further PCP education). PCPs also described preferred information to include in TS/SCPs (e.g., surveillance schedule) and format (e.g., in the electronic health record). They also reported that e-consultation could be useful in communication with other health care providers about any questions, CONCLUSIONS: PCPs want further education and support about cancer surveillance guidelines and managing long-term effects in survivors. Having TS/SCP information easy to find in the EHR was mentioned by the PCPs as something that would improve their care of cancer survivors.

Implications for cancer survivors: Providing PCPs with more education and tools in the EHR could lead to improved care of cancer survivors.