The Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) of the General Medical Services Contract for Primary Care provides an incentive for practices to establish a cancer register, and to conduct a review with new cancer patients within six months of diagnosis. However, this recommendation is not evidence-based, and it is not known to what extent practices are implementing the review, the nature and scope of reviews which are being implemented, and whether or not they are perceived to be useful by patients.
This recommendation does not address the potential needs of family members, nor the needs of patients and their families in the period following a recurrence. Currently it is also unclear what the views of patients, family members and health care professionals are on the optimal role and timing for the involvement of primary care. This information is needed to guide which primary care interventions may be useful in improving the quality of care in future. The overall aim of this study is to explore the role of primary care in caring for and supporting patients with cancer and their families.
The overall aim of this study is to explore the role of primary care in caring for and supporting patients with cancer and their families.
Specific study aims are:
1.To describe patients’ and their family members’ experiences of GP / Primary Care Team involvement in their care in the first three years following a cancer diagnosis or a cancer recurrence
2.To describe the nature and scope of QOF cancer care reviews currently being undertaken, from the patients’ perspective.
3.To describe patients’ and their family members’ views on the optimal role for the primary care team in the period following a cancer diagnosis or following a cancer recurrence.
To seek the views of primary health care professionals regarding recommendations for their involvement in the care of people diagnosed with cancer and their family members, based on the findings from 1-3 above.
Project team
Professor Alison Richardson, Clinical Chair in Cancer Nursing and End of Life Care
External
Professor Eila Watson. Oxford Brookes University
Professor Mary Boulton, Dr Peter Rose, Mr Bill Savage, Dr Sue Wilson
Project funder
Macmillan Cancer Support