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RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)
Contents Vol 30(2)

Experiences and perspectives of colorectal cancer survivors and general practitioners on the delivery of survivorship care in general practice: a mixed methods study

Bora Kim https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7843-5106 A B C * , Kate White A B C , Marguerite Tracy D , Janani Mahadeva E , Julie Marker F G , Cheri Ostroff F H , Louise Acret B C , Simon Willcock E and Claudia Rutherford A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, a joint venture with Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia.

B Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia.

C Cancer Care Research Unit, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia.

D General Practice Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia.

E MQ Health, Macquarie University Hospital, Primary Care, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.

F Consumer Representative, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.

G Cancer Voices South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5068, Australia.

H University of South Australia, Centre for Workplace Excellence, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia.

* Correspondence to: bora.kim@sydney.edu.au

Australian Journal of Primary Health 30, PY23140 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY23140
Submitted: 1 August 2023  Accepted: 25 February 2024  Published: 21 March 2024

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of La Trobe University. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)

Abstract

Background

Many colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors experience ongoing sequelae from their cancer treatment. Limited evidence exists regarding how CRC survivors and general practitioners (GPs) manage these sequelae in the community. This study aimed to explore the experiences and perspectives of CRC survivors and GPs on current approaches to monitoring and managing sequelae of CRC treatment.

Methods

We conducted a mixed-methods study using cross-sectional national surveys and qualitative interviews with CRC survivors and GPs to explore: (1) treatment sequelae experienced by CRC survivors, (2) how these were monitored and managed by general practitioners, and (3) suggestions to improve ongoing management of the treatment sequelae. Survey responses were reported descriptively. Qualitative data were thematically analysed using an interpretive descriptive approach.

Results

Seventy participants completed surveys: 51 CRC survivors and 19 GPs, and four interviews were conducted with GPs. CRC survivors experienced a range of treatment sequelae, but often did not discuss these with their GPs (experienced vs discussed: 86% vs 47% for fatigue/lack of energy, 78% vs 27% for psychological/emotional concern, 63% vs 22% for impaired sleep, 69% vs 29% for weight loss/gain, 59% vs 16% for sexual and intimacy concerns). GPs reported inadequate information transfer from cancer services and workload as major barriers to optimal care.

Conclusions

System-level changes that facilitate adequate information transfer from cancer services to GPs upon CRC treatment completion, as well as addressing time constraint issues essential for comprehensive monitoring and management of CRC treatment sequelae, could enhance the care of CRC survivors in the community setting.

Keywords: cancer survivorship, colorectal cancer, general practice, general practitioner, primary health care, quality of life, sequelae, supportive care, survivorship care, symptom management.

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