Perspectives on Post-Treatment Cancer Care: Qualitative Research With Survivors, Nurses, and Physicians

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Abstract
Purpose Cancer survivors have many medical and psychosocial needs that are unaddressed in the post-treatment period. Qualitative research was carried out to assess how a survivorship care plan created by oncologists could improve the quality of survivorship care. Participants and Methods Focus groups and interviews conducted with cancer survivors, nurses, primary care physicians, and oncologists provide insights into post-treatment follow-up practices and the acceptability and feasibility of providing survivors and referring physicians with a cancer survivorship care plan. Results Cancer survivors reported satisfaction with post-treatment medical care, but felt that their psychosocial needs were not met. Survivors expressed enthusiastic support for receipt of a follow-up care plan. Primary care physicians viewed themselves as playing an important role during the post-treatment period and indicated that a written care plan for follow-up would help them improve their survivorship practices. Nurses recognize...