Doctors differ on cancer survivor care

WASHINGTON, July 25 (UPI) -- Oncologists and primary care physicians may differ regarding knowledge, attitudes and practices for care of cancer survivors, U.S. researchers say.

Lead author Arnold L. Potosky, director of health services research at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, a part of Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, and colleagues surveyed 1,072 primary cancer physicians and 1,130 oncologists from among all U.S. practicing physicians during 2009.

"Many doctors, particularly primary care doctors don't have a high level of confidence in their own knowledge of some aspects of survivorship care, and many oncologists believe that primary care doctors are not adequately prepared to provide such care," Potosky says in a statement.

"Although both groups of doctors routinely recommend the use of several laboratory and imaging tests to detect cancer recurrence that are not part of guideline-directed care, more of the primary care physicians recommended these tests than did oncologists.

The reasons for over-testing may include the practice of defensive medicine, reimbursement incentives for office-based laboratory testing, or uncertainty regarding best care practices, Potosky says.

In 2006, a report from the Institute of Medicine recommended that patients completing primary treatment for cancer, and their primary care providers, be given a summary of their treatment and a comprehensive plan for follow-up. This plan would inform patients of the long-term effects of cancer and its treatment, identify psychosocial support resources and provide guidance on follow-up care, prevention and health maintenance, Potosky says.

The findings are published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.