TYAC-GP

Teenagers and Young Adults with Cancer - what is the role of General Practice?

Cancer in TYAs (teenagers and young adults) is relatively rare in the UK.  However, there have been significant increases in diagnoses and an estimated 75% of patients now survive. TYA Cancer has gained recognition as a specialist area. Accordingly, recent guidelines recognise the importance of age appropriate care and NHS staff expertise in this niche group. 

General Practitioners (GPs) are predominantly involved in diagnosis and aftercare. Specialised investigation, treatment, and immediate follow-up are appropriately hospital-based, where GPs tend to have a more limited involvement in patient care.  This neglects a potential role for GPs in the ongoing medical and psychosocial care of patients, and subsequent support for their families. Without ongoing GP involvement, a patient’s transition to primary and self-care after treatment might be impaired.

In order to meet the complex needs of TYAs treated for cancer, coordinated care between primary, secondary, and tertiary care is needed. Investigation of the patient and professional experiences and relationships throughout the disease journey could help to identify areas for improvement in diagnosis, relationships and coordinated aftercare. 

Aims

The primary aim of this study is to explore, using in-depth interviews with GPs, the possible benefits and barriers to greater primary care involvement in the care of TYAs with cancer from diagnosis through to long-term follow-up. 

We also seek to understand how the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in TYAs, and the intervention of hospital based care, affects the patient/family-GP relationship and their use of primary care; and to identify factors that promote or inhibit: a) on-going patient/family-GP relationship; b) GP involvement from the time of diagnosis; and c) patient use of primary care and self care after the treatment of cancer.

Project team

Kiri Dixon, Ali Heawood, Mike Stevens, Alison Cameron, Matthew Ridd

Further information

Please contact Dr Kiri Dixon