Healthcare providers’ perspectives on care coordination for adults with cancer and multiple chronic conditions: a systematic review

Abstract

Objectives Inherent treatment complexities for patients with both cancer and multiple chronic conditions (MCC) make these patients likely candidates for shared care between primary care providers (PCPs) and oncologists. However, providers' views on the optimal model for care coordination between PCPs and oncologists in the context of both cancer and MCC are unclear. Thus, the purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the perceptions of PCPs and oncologists regarding barriers and facilitators to care coordination during the care of patients with cancer and MCC, and their opinions on what is needed to improve current care coordination strategies. Methods We systematically searched PubMed, CINAHL and PsycINFO for articles pertaining to PCPs' and oncologists' perspectives, experiences and needs regarding care coordination during the cancer care continuum, in the context of patients with cancer and MCC. Key findings A total of 22 articles were retained. From qualitative synthesis, three themes emerged regarding PCPs' and oncologists' perceived barriers to cancer care coordination: (1) limited findings of physicians' experiences in MCC care; (2) lack of defined provider roles in cancer care; and (3) lack of comprehensive information sharing, efficient communication methods and clear shared-care plans during care for cancer patients with MCC.Conclusions Results provide insights into providers' needs for navigating the complexities of cancer care coordination. Future studies should consider further investigating the needs of patients and multiple provider types for optimizing care coordination throughout the cancer care continuum.Provider perspective on oncology care coordination Natalie S. Hohmann et al.

Cancer survivorship care and general practice: A qualitative study of roles of general practice team members in Australia

“…This study confirms a number of previously identified concerns, including communication disparities resulting in an absence of role clarity between cancer specialists and GPs (Dossett et al, 2017;Easley et al, 2017;Lisy et al, 2020;Mitchell et al, 2012;Tsui et al, 2019), and a need for greater role clarity for PNs working in primary care (Aggar et al, 2016;Hohmann et al, 2020;McInnes et al, 2015McInnes et al, , 2017Yuille et al, 2016). Further, as previous studies highlighted,…”

“…Furthermore, the complex health profiles of adult cancer survivors often include chronic medical conditions beyond cancer (Hohmann et al, 2020;Leach et al, 2015) and cancer survivors are less likely to receive optimal, holistic care if they do not see a primary care provider (Snyder et al, 2015). It is therefore critical that the involvement of primary care providers is optimised (Rubin et al, 2015;Vardy et al, 2019).…”

Understanding the Attitudes and Beliefs of Oncologists Regarding the Transitioning and Sharing of Survivorship Care

“…Improvements in cancer screening and treatment have led to significant increases in the number of cancer survivors, each having a unique set of survivorship needs [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. In Canada, survival for all cancers combined rose from 55% in the period 1992–1994 to 63% in the period 2012–2014 [ 1 ].…”

“…PCP and patient perspectives have been investigated with regard to transitioning from oncologist-led care to primary care [ 2 , 13 , 14 , 20 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ]. Patients generally have confidence in PCPs to provide survivorship care, and support the use of a survivorship care plan (SCP) summarizing a patient’s cancer, cancer treatments, and recommended follow-up to facilitate this care [ 2 , 20 , 31 ].…”

“…PCP and patient perspectives have been investigated with regard to transitioning from oncologist-led care to primary care [ 2 , 13 , 14 , 20 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ]. Patients generally have confidence in PCPs to provide survivorship care, and support the use of a survivorship care plan (SCP) summarizing a patient’s cancer, cancer treatments, and recommended follow-up to facilitate this care [ 2 , 20 , 31 ]. Moreover, many PCPs are interested in assuming either shared or transitioned survivorship care for their patients, provided that they receive adequate support, including those surveyed in the same region in which oncologists were assessed in this study [ 20 , 30 , 31 , 36 , 37 , 38 ].…”