Comparison of Internist and Oncologist Evaluations of Cancer Patients?? Need for Hospitalization

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Abstract
This study attempts to compare the clinical judgment of oncologists and primary care internists in terms of the needs of identical cancer patients for acute hospitalization and to estimate the suitability of patients for alternative care settings. Oncologists and internists had broad agreement as to the reasons for hospitalization, e.g., diagnosis, treatment to cure, treatment to prolong life, and treatment to control symptoms. More than 40% of the patients were classified by both physician groups as requiring hospitalization for symptom control or to prolong life. Oncologists and internists agreed that one quarter of the sample of patients could be cared for at home or in alternative facility. Lower cost alternatives to inpatient care are now an attractive strategy. This study suggests that these approaches are clinically viable as well as economically sound.

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