Engage GPs for More Effective Cancer Care

Professor David Weller of the Division of Community Health Sciences at the University of Edinburgh and Professor Mark Harris, Director of the Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity at the University of New South Wales, said increasing numbers of cancer patients are living for prolonged periods with the disease, placing growing emphasis on the concept of survivorship.

"General practice, with its capacity for multidimensional care, is well placed to play a leading role in improving services for people living with cancer, providing follow-up that addresses patient priorities, and developing more personalised care for cancer survivors," say the authors.

"A challenge for primary care is to recognise its unrealised potential for promoting survivorship and to develop new models of care that allow it to do so."

The authors say that cancer patients often perceive a lack of integration in the services they receive.

"A better understanding of the role of primary care in cancer management is vital if we are to improve outcomes and quality of life in our cancer patients."

"We need to develop new, genuinely integrated models of care that address important priorities for cancer patients, such as the availability of care close to home, timely management of symptoms, early detection of recurrences, and comprehensive psychosocial support.

"Until we have done so, GPs will remain at the periphery of cancer management, and there will be ongoing confusion over how we can make our most effective contribution," say the authors.

In a separate article in the same issue of the Journal, Professor Moyez Jiwa and his co-authors say that one in three men and one in four women in Australia will be diagnosed with cancer in the first 75 years of life.

Although the majority will survive the cancer and ultimately die from unrelated causes, the authors argue that greater integration of care could offer better practical and psychological supportive care for patients and their families.

"People with serious illnesses have consistently expressed the need for continuity from a care provider who is available, is genuinely interested in them, provides emotional support, and takes the time to understand and communicate with them and important others," say the authors.

They propose four overarching strategies for overcoming current limitations to care for people with cancer: improving strategies for case-finding in general practice and beyond; a formal focus on multidisciplinary cancer care in the community; funding reform for cancer in primary care; and harnessing effective information technology.

The Medical Journal of Australia is a publication of the Australian Medical Association.

* The statements or opinions that are expressed in the MJA reflect the views of the authors and do not represent the official policy of the AMA unless that is so stated.

CONTACT: Professor David Weller 0011 44 131 650 2807 or 0011 44 131 650 9518

Professor Moyez Jiwa (on request)

Kylie Walker (AMA) 02 6270 5471 or 0405 229 152