None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The study is evaluating the potential of a shared-care model of follow-up for survivors of colorectal cancer. Who is it for? You may be eligible to join this study if you are aged 18 years or more, have a confirmed diagnosis of colon or or rectal cancer at stage I-III, completed treatment with curative intent within the past 3-months at one of the participating sites and have a GP willing to participate in the study. Trial details: Participants in this trial are randomly (by chance) allocated to one of two groups. Participants in Group 1 will receive usual care according to current hospital practice. Participants in Group 2 will receive shared-care between specialist and general practitioner in which two routine hospital appointments will be replaced by GP appointments. In addition participants in Group 2 will receive a tailored survivorship care plan with care guidelines detailing information and recommendations about common concerns after treatment with additional support services information. Once the survivorship care plan is complete the patient will receive a written copy, with a copy provided to the patients preferred General Practitioner (GP). This is to ensure that the GP is familiar with the issues the patient is working on and can provide ongoing assistance as necessary. All participants will be asked to complete some questionnaires at the start of the study, and 6 and 12 months later in order to assess unmet needs, perceived experience of oncology care, satisfaction of the intervention and quality of life. Feasibility and cost-effectiveness of the two interventions will also be assessed.
Interventions
The intervention is a shared care model where 2 of the 4 routine hospital visits in the year after end of treatment (EOT) are replaced by GP visits (30 minutes) at the 3 and 9-month post EOT. An additional GP visit at 2 weeks post-EOT is included to discuss the follow up plan and establish common ground about the model of shared care. The following core elements will support shared care:
1. Survivorship care plan (SCP). The SCP is tailored to each participant by the research team which may incl
The intervention is a shared care model where 2 of the 4 routine hospital visits in the year after end of treatment (EOT) are replaced by GP visits (30 minutes) at the 3 and 9-month post EOT. An additional GP visit at 2 weeks post-EOT is included to discuss the follow up plan and establish common ground about the model of shared care. The following core elements will support shared care: 1. Survivorship care plan (SCP). The SCP is tailored to each participant by the research team which may include a nurse, research assistant and/or data manager and comprises a summary of the patient's diagnosis of treatment, recommendations for follow up and strategies to remain well. The patient and GP will receive copies. 2. GP clinical management guidelines. Guidelines are in line with the Australian Cancer Network Colorectal Cancer Guidelines and recommendations from the American Cancer Society of Clinical Oncology and include guidance about tests to detect recurrence, possible late and long-term effects of treatments and how to manage these, as well as how to re-refer patients to a rapid review clinic. 3. Assessment will be based on issues frequently encountered by cancer survivors (e.g. fatigue, fear and cancer recurrence) and issues experienced by colorectal cancer survivors (e.g. bowel disturbance, sexual problems).
Sponsors
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Patients eligible for this study include: - A confirmed diagnosis of colon or rectal cancer - Stage I-III disease - Must have completed treatment with curative intent at one of the participating sites within the previous 3-months. - Over 18 years of age; - Able to read and write English; and - Has a GP willing to participate in the study
Exclusion criteria
Patients not eligible for this study include: - Demonstrated cognitive or psychological difficulties that would preclude the study participation - Too unwell to participate in the study - Treated from a previous cancer (except non-melanoma skin cancer) - Has a GP already participating in the study.
Outcome results
None listed