Oncologists, PCPs differ in cancer follow-up concerns

(HealthDay)—Medical oncologists (MOs) and primary care physicians (PCPs) report different barriers/concerns in cancer follow-up care to be problematic, according to research published online May 20 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Katherine S. Virgo, Ph.D., M.B.A., from Emory University in Atlanta, and colleagues analyzed data from a nationally representative sample of participants in the 2009 Survey of Physician Attitudes Regarding the Care of Cancer Survivors. Comparisons were made between PCP and MO responses to 10 physician-perceived cancer survivorship care barriers/concerns.

The researchers found that, based on responses from 2,202 physicians (1,072 PCPs and 1,130 MOs), in assessing patient-related barriers, MOs were more likely than PCPs to report patient language barriers (odds ratio [OR], 1.72), insurance restrictions impeding test/treatment use (OR, 1.42), and patients requesting more aggressive testing (OR, 4.08). In assessing physician-related barriers, PCPs were more likely than MOs to report inadequate training (OR, 3.06) and ordering additional tests/treatments because of malpractice concerns (OR, 1.87). With respect to general preventive care responsibility, MOs were more likely to report uncertainty.

"MOs and PCPs perceive different cancer follow-up care barriers/concerns to be problematic," the authors write.