Experimental system of care coordination for the home return of patients with metastatic cancer: a survey of general practitioners

Abstract

Background: To promote improved coordination between general practice and hospital, the French clinical trial CREDO (“Concertation de REtour à DOmicile”) is testing an innovative experimental consultation for patients with metastatic cancer who are returning home. This consultation involves the patient, the patient’s referring GP (GPref) and a GP with specific skills in oncology (GPonc) in a specialized care center. The objective of our study is to explore the satisfaction of GPsref about this consultation, in the phase of interaction between GPonc and GPref. Methods: This observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study explored the satisfaction of GPsref who had participated in this type of consultation, via a telephone survey. Results: One Hundred GPsref responded to the questionnaire between April and September 2019 (overall response rate: 55%). 84.5% were satisfied with the consultation, and the majority were satisfied with its methods. Half of the GPsref learned new information during the consultation, three-quarters noted an impact on their practice, and 94.4% thought that this type of coordination between the GPref and the oncology specialist could improve general practice - hospital coordination. Conclusions: For GPs, the CREDO consultation seems to be practical and effective in improving the coordination between general medicine and hospital. GPs would benefit from such coordination for all patients with cancer, several times during follow-up and at each occurrence of a medically significant event.