Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Clinical placement program in cancer survivorship for primary care providers 2017–2019

  • Published:
Journal of Cancer Survivorship Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The growing population of cancer survivors indicates an increasing role for primary care practitioners (PCPs). Building on two pilot initiatives, we sought to demonstrate feasibility of a state-wide program of short observational placements for PCPs and identify changes in knowledge and confidence to deliver survivorship care.

Methods

Placements were offered at hospitals with oncology departments across Victoria, Australia. Participants attended a multidisciplinary team meeting and a minimum of two outpatient clinics. Participation targets included at least 70 general practitioners (GPs), 15 practice nurses (PNs) and 15 allied health professionals (AHPs). Mixed methods evaluation included pre- and post-placement surveys.

Results

The program was successfully delivered across eight sites; 148 PCPs enrolled, 58 PCPs withdrew and ultimately 90 PCPs (53 GPs, 15 PNs and 22 AHPs) completed a total of 224 placements. Ninety-two percent (81/89) of participants reported increased knowledge and confidence regarding survivorship care, 87% (78/89) agreed they had opportunities to enhance clinical relationships with specialist teams and 93% (83/89) agreed the program was relevant to their practice.

Conclusions

Building on previous pilots, this third iteration demonstrated the program is sustainable across multiple health services and geographical locations. PCPs reported increased knowledge and confidence regarding survivorship care and that the program provided opportunities to strengthen relationships between primary care and cancer specialists.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

A placement program within tertiary cancer centres offers a feasible, transferable model to build PCP knowledge and confidence to deliver appropriate and quality survivorship care.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bray F, Ferlay J, Soerjomataram I, Siegel RL, Torre LA, Jemal A. Global cancer statistics 2018: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA Cancer J Clin. 2018;68(6):394–424.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Jefford MKE, Pollard A, Baravelli C, Carey M, Franklin J, Aranda S, et al. Survivorship issues following treatment completion—results from focus groups with Australian cancer survivors and health professionals. J Cancer Surviv. 2008;2(1):20–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Thursfield V, Farrugia H. Cancer in Victoria: statistics & trends 2016. Melbourne: Cancer Council Victoria; 2017.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Rubin G, Berendsen A, Crawford SM, Dommett R, Earle C, Emery J, et al. The expanding role of primary care in cancer control. Lancet Oncol. 2015;16(12):1231–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Evans J, Nolte L, Piper L, Whitfield K, Jefford M. A clinical placement program for primary care professionals at a comprehensive cancer centre. Aust Fam Physician. 2016;45(8):606–10.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Australian Government, Department of Health and Human Service, Optimal Care Pathways. https://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/occp. Accessed 7 July 2019.

  7. Johnson CE, Lizama N, Garg N, Ghosh M, Emery J, Saunders C. Australian general practitioners’ preferences for managing the care of people diagnosed with cancer. Asia Pac J Clin Oncol. 2014;10(2):e90–e8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Walter FM, Usher-Smith JA, Yadlapalli S, Watson E. Caring for people living with, and beyond, cancer: an online survey of GPs in England. Br J Gen Pract. 2015;65(640):e761–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Cancer Australia. Role redesign primary care - shared care models of cancer treatment and surveillance post-treatment - final report. Australia 2010.

  10. Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Model of Survivorship Care Working Group. Model of survivorship care: critical components of cancer survivorship care in Australia position statement. Clinical Oncology Society of Australia. 2016

Download references

Funding

This study was funded by the Victorian State Government.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre – A Richard Pratt Legacy, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Amanda Piper, Leisa Leon, Helana Kelly, Ashlee Bailey, Georgina Wiley, Karolina Lisy & Michael Jefford

  2. Melbourne, Australia

    Amanda Piper

  3. Department of Cancer Experiences Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Karolina Lisy

  4. Department of Health and Human Services, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Liz Simkiss

  5. Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Michael Jefford

Authors
  1. Amanda Piper
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Leisa Leon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Helana Kelly
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ashlee Bailey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Georgina Wiley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Karolina Lisy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Liz Simkiss
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Michael Jefford
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in the study related to improvement of teaching, not research. This version of the program was deemed exempt from ethical review by the Peter Mac Ethics Committee. The program had verified feasibility through two earlier pilot versions (LNR/15/PMCC/115) and was a continuation of established work.

Informed consent

The study was exempt from ethical review. Participants implied consent by applying to the program and participating in the relevant program evaluation activities.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Piper, A., Leon, L., Kelly, H. et al. Clinical placement program in cancer survivorship for primary care providers 2017–2019. J Cancer Surviv 14, 14–18 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-019-00817-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-019-00817-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation