None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to test the feasibility and acceptability of a shared-care model involving specialists and GPs for post-radiotherapy treatment cancer follow-up. Who is it for? You may be eligible for this study if you are aged 18 or older, and have completed radiotherapy treatment for breast, prostate or colorectal cancer at least two and a half years ago. Study details Participants in this study will attend a series of post-treatment follow-up appointments with their regular GP who will assess their health and reviews for signs of cancer recurrence. The GP will complete a follow-up review with the patient using a system that is directly linked to the hospital so the radiation oncologist can oversee the results and assess if further medical intervention or support is required. The patient maintains their standard care with their radiation oncologist, with one appointment of 15 minutes. Over the six months, the patient is being offered an additional two review appointments with their general practitioner, 20 to 30 minutes each. As part of the study all participants will be asked to attend two interviews, before and after the study period to discuss how they felt about the shared-care model of cancer follow-up care. It is hoped this research will demonstrate the feasibility and usefulness of the new model of care which could influence future post-treatment cancer care.
Interventions
1. Intervention name
Shared model of cancer follow-up care between general practitioners and radiation oncologists, for patients with breast, prostate or colorectal cancer.
2. Why
The rising incidence of cancer and increasing number of cancer survivors has resulted in the need to find alternative models of care for cancer follow-up care. The acceptability for follow-up care in general practice is growing, and acceptance increases with shared-care models where oncologists are still overseeing ca
1. Intervention name Shared model of cancer follow-up care between general practitioners and radiation oncologists, for patients with breast, prostate or colorectal cancer. 2. Why The rising incidence of cancer and increasing number of cancer survivors has resulted in the need to find alternative models of care for cancer follow-up care. The acceptability for follow-up care in general practice is growing, and acceptance increases with shared-care models where oncologists are still overseeing care. However, a major barrier to this model is the effective two-way exchange of information in real-time between oncologists and general practitioners. Improved communication technology plays an important role in the acceptability and feasibility of cancer shared follow-up care. 3. What The intervention is additional radiation oncology follow-up appointments for the patient with their general practitioner; whilst the radiation oncologist is informed in real-time via the hospital oncology information system (electronic record). Digital health technology (PROsaiq) will be used to transfer the review information from the general practitioner directly into the hospital system. The radiation oncologist will oversee the care by accessing the review information directly, and identify if the patient needs any further medical intervention or support. 4. Who provided The general practitioner will complete a two hour radiation oncology course online (eviQ). A 30-minute training session will be provided by a radiation oncologist directly to the general practitioner on how to access the clinical assessment link, and what to do during the follow-up review by a radiation oncologist (review sleep, weight, skin reactions, bladder/bowel, prostate blood level). The training to general practitioners will include how to review radiation oncology specific information: Breast: Fatigue, ECOG (a scale of performance by Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group), appetite, weight loss, chest/breast pain, telangiectasia, lymphodema-related fibrosis, disease state – local/regional/distant Colorectal: Fatigue, ECOG, appetite, weight loss, proctitis, pelvic pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, disease state – local/regional/distant Prostate: Fatigue, ECOG, erectile function, dysuria, rectal haemorrhage, disease state – local/regional/distant 5. How The intervention will be delivered at the patient’s general practitioner’s clinic. The review data will be sent in real-time to the hospital. 6. Where Within the Illawarra Shoalhaven local health district region. 7. When and how much The intervention, will involve the patient visiting their general practitioner for 2x 20 minute appointments, six months apart. The total duration of study participation is 8 months. 8. Researchers will monitor patient participation by monitoring the data sent into the hospitals oncology information system.
Sponsors
University of Wollongong
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Intervention model
Single group
Primary purpose
Educational / counselling / training
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Radiation oncologist: 1) have treated patients for breast, prostate or colorectal cancer Patient: 1) have a previous diagnosis of colorectal, breast or prostate cancer, 2) have completed curative intent radiotherapy treatment at least two and half years ago, 3) be over 18 years of age, 4) can understand and speak English, 5) have a general practitioner willing to participate. General practitioner: 1)Referring general practitioner of breast, colorectal or prostate cancer patient who has consented to taking place in the study. b) Has internet access.
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria are patients that have suspected or confirmed recurrence.
Outcome results
None listed