How do you see your role when visiting
General Practitioners (GPs)?
These visits allow face-to-face
interaction with GPs who have varying knowledge and confidence in providing
optimal cancer care to their patients. The sessions are interactive and an opportunity
for me to provide resources and evidence-based information about cancer
prevention messaging, screening recommendations, early diagnosis and referral
pathways for colorectal and lung cancer in particular.
Are you observing any barriers
associated with bowel cancer screening?
Many GPs have reported barriers
to timely care, especially access to colonoscopy in public hospitals and the
potential burden of costs for people from low socioeconomic backgrounds. They
find a general lack of understanding amongst patients regarding the rationale
behind population screening and the benefits of early detection of bowel
cancer, especially for their non-English speaking background patients.
What are the benefits of GPs being
involved in the I-PACED project?
A number of practices have
commenced automatic recalls to patients aged 50-74yrs to ensure they are able
to have 2 yearly FOBT. Many GPs were unfamiliar with making proactive referrals
to QUIT for behavioural support when advising patients about the
benefits of smoking cessation. They have shown an interest in connecting to online
QUIT referral forms as well as a greater awareness of the support services
provided by Cancer Council Victoria via 131120.
A number of GPs have been very
interested in the What To Expect consumer version of the Optimal Care Pathways and I feel will be more confident
to provide these to patients in the future.
Jeanne Potts is one of the 13 11 20
nurses involved in the Implementing Pathways for Cancer Early
diagnosis (I-PACED) project that aims to increase awareness about critical
primary care points and clinical care required along the colorectal and lung Optimal
Care Pathways.
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