Aim
Develop a breast cancer education session for general practice using an interactive case based discussion format that follows a patient’s cancer journey to reflect the broad role that GPs have in cancer care.
Method
The case followed a Vietnamese patient’s journey from diagnosis to survivorship and included cultural aspects care and how this may impact the patients’ experience. The Head of the Breast Cancer Unit facilitated the panel discussion which involved various specialists involved in a patients’ care including surgeons, radiation and medical oncologists, radiologists, GP, Breast Cancer Nurse and peer support organisation, to increase understanding of the multidisciplinary model of care.
Results
2 sessions were delivered in 2014. 42 participants attended the sessions which attracted a multidisciplinary audience, 38% of participants were GPs, 38% practice nurses and 17% other primary care professionals.
71% of participants felt their learning needs were entirely met. 58% indicated that they were able to confidently describe the major follow up/survivorship issues for (Vietnamese) women. 50% of participants found the session entirely relevant to their practice.
65% of participants indicated the interactive style of the session was excellent and comments were received that the style of the session would be useful for other cancers.
Several participants commented on the session providing an opportunity to clarify who is involved in the care of patients at the local level and the referral pathways to access these services.
Conclusions
It is widely acknowledged that the GP has a role throughout the entire cancer journey however education for general practice is often only focused on one area e.g. treatment, detection etc. Interactive education that follows the patient journey, and allows general practice access to the multidisciplinary specialist team involved in cancer care is a tool that can improve the acute/primary care interface.