Abstract

Primary care practitioners (PCPs), with their generalist approach and experience of prevention and chronic disease management, have a key role to play in caring for people living with and beyond cancer. Furthermore, a recent UK survey showed that cancer survivors have increased rates of consultations in primary care. However, while the Quality Outcomes Framework targets require PCPs to keep a register of patients diagnosed with cancer and review them within 3 months of diagnosis, there are no other primary care targets or guidelines relating to long term consequences of cancer treatment and quality of care for co-morbid disease among people living with and beyond cancer.

PCP views on optimising care for those living with and beyond cancer will be discussed, with reference to findings from two recent studies we have conducted. The first is a systematic review of studies indexed on five electronic databases before March 2014 that included PCP views on caring for adult patients living beyond a diagnosis of cancer and who had completed active treatment. Twenty-one studies have been included. The results will be presented in five categories: current practice, views of the primary/secondary care interface, knowledge and educational needs, barriers such as time and access to specialist services, and preferences for optimising care.  The second is a web-based survey of GP attitudes and experiences of follow-up care for people living with and beyond cancer, with a particular focus on cardiovascular health after cancer. GP views on current and optimal management of people who have recently completed their active cancer treatment, awareness and management of possible late effects following cancer treatment, and relevant training needs, will be presented.

In conclusion, there will be a brief overview of two on-going pilot UK trials of primary care-based interventions to address the unmet needs of men following prostate cancer treatment.