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Knowledge and Preferences of Primary Care Providers in Delivering Head and Neck Cancer Survivorship Care.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Berkowitz, C; Allen, DH; Tenhover, J; Zullig, LL; Ragsdale, J; Fischer, JE; Pollak, KI; Koontz, BF
Published in: J Cancer Educ
December 2018

Long-term care for head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors is complex and requires coordination among multiple providers. Clinical practice guidelines highlight the role of primary care providers (PCPs) in screening for secondary cancer/recurrence, assessment of late/long-term side effects, and referrals for appropriate specialty management of toxicity. However, these responsibilities may be difficult to meet within the scope of primary care practice. We conducted this study to explore preferences, comfort, and knowledge of PCPs in the care of HNC survivors. We piloted a 40-item web-based survey developed with oncologist and PCP input targeted for family medicine and internal medicine providers. Responses were collected within a single university health system over 2 months. PCPs (n = 28; RR = 11.3%) were interested in learning about health promotion after cancer treatment (89%) and generally agree that their current practice patterns address healthy lifestyle behaviors (82%). However, only 32% of PCPs felt confident they could manage late/long-term side effects of chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery. Only 29% felt confident they could provide appropriate cancer screening. Looking at shared care responsibilities with oncology providers, PCPs perceived being responsible for 30% of care in the first year after treatment and 81% of care after 5 years. Seventy-one percent of PCPs agreed that oncologists provided them necessary information, yet 32% of PCPs found it difficult to coordinate with cancer providers. While these PCPs perceive increased care responsibility for long-term survivors, most are uncomfortable screening for recurrence and managing late/long-term side effects. Education and mutual coordination between PCPs and oncology providers may improve survivor care.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

J Cancer Educ

DOI

EISSN

1543-0154

Publication Date

December 2018

Volume

33

Issue

6

Start / End Page

1323 / 1327

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Survivorship
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Public Health
  • Primary Health Care
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'
  • Pilot Projects
  • Oncologists
  • Humans
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
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Berkowitz, C., Allen, D. H., Tenhover, J., Zullig, L. L., Ragsdale, J., Fischer, J. E., … Koontz, B. F. (2018). Knowledge and Preferences of Primary Care Providers in Delivering Head and Neck Cancer Survivorship Care. J Cancer Educ, 33(6), 1323–1327. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-017-1250-3
Berkowitz, Callie, Deborah H. Allen, Jennifer Tenhover, Leah L. Zullig, John Ragsdale, Jonathan E. Fischer, Kathryn I. Pollak, and Bridget F. Koontz. “Knowledge and Preferences of Primary Care Providers in Delivering Head and Neck Cancer Survivorship Care.J Cancer Educ 33, no. 6 (December 2018): 1323–27. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-017-1250-3.
Berkowitz C, Allen DH, Tenhover J, Zullig LL, Ragsdale J, Fischer JE, et al. Knowledge and Preferences of Primary Care Providers in Delivering Head and Neck Cancer Survivorship Care. J Cancer Educ. 2018 Dec;33(6):1323–7.
Berkowitz, Callie, et al. “Knowledge and Preferences of Primary Care Providers in Delivering Head and Neck Cancer Survivorship Care.J Cancer Educ, vol. 33, no. 6, Dec. 2018, pp. 1323–27. Pubmed, doi:10.1007/s13187-017-1250-3.
Berkowitz C, Allen DH, Tenhover J, Zullig LL, Ragsdale J, Fischer JE, Pollak KI, Koontz BF. Knowledge and Preferences of Primary Care Providers in Delivering Head and Neck Cancer Survivorship Care. J Cancer Educ. 2018 Dec;33(6):1323–1327.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Cancer Educ

DOI

EISSN

1543-0154

Publication Date

December 2018

Volume

33

Issue

6

Start / End Page

1323 / 1327

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Survivorship
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Public Health
  • Primary Health Care
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'
  • Pilot Projects
  • Oncologists
  • Humans
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms