Patients' preferences for post-treatment breast cancer follow-up in primary care vs. secondary care: a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To explore patients' preferences for follow-up in primary care vs. secondary care.

Methods

A cross-sectional design was employed, involving semi-structured interviews with 70 female patients with a history of early-stage breast cancer. Using descriptive content analysis, interview transcripts were analysed independently and thematically by two researchers.

Findings

Patients expressed the strongest preference for annual visits (31/68), a schedule with a decreasing frequency over time (27/68), and follow-up > 10 years, including lifelong follow-up (20/64). The majority (56/61) preferred to receive follow-up care from the same care provider over time, for reasons related to a personal doctor-patient relationship and the physician's knowledge of the patient's hi

SUBMITTER: Roorda C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5810665 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature