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- Title
Responsibility for follow-up during the diagnostic process in primary care: a secondary analysis of International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership data.
- Authors
Nicholson, Brian D; Goyder, Clare R; Bankhead, Clare R; Toftegaard, Berit S; Rose, Peter W; Thulesius, Hans; Vedsted, Peter; Perera, Rafael
- Abstract
<bold>Background: </bold>It is unclear to what extent primary care practitioners (PCPs) should retain responsibility for follow-up to ensure that patients are monitored until their symptoms or signs are explained.<bold>Aim: </bold>To explore the extent to which PCPs retain responsibility for diagnostic follow-up actions across 11 international jurisdictions.<bold>Design and Setting: </bold>A secondary analysis of survey data from the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership.<bold>Method: </bold>The authors counted the proportion of 2879 PCPs who retained responsibility for each area of follow-up (appointments, test results, and non-attenders). Proportions were weighted by the sample size of each jurisdiction. Pooled estimates were obtained using a random-effects model, and UK estimates were compared with non-UK ones. Free-text responses were analysed to contextualise quantitative findings using a modified grounded theory approach.<bold>Results: </bold>PCPs varied in their retention of responsibility for follow-up from 19% to 97% across jurisdictions and area of follow-up. Test reconciliation was inadequate in most jurisdictions. Significantly fewer UK PCPs retained responsibility for test result communication (73% versus 85%, P = 0.04) and non-attender follow-up (78% versus 93%, P<0.01) compared with non-UK PCPs. PCPs have developed bespoke, inconsistent solutions to follow-up. In cases of greatest concern, 'double safety netting' is described, where both patient and PCP retain responsibility.<bold>Conclusion: </bold>The degree to which PCPs retain responsibility for follow-up is dependent on their level of concern about the patient and their primary care system's properties. Integrated systems to support follow-up are at present underutilised, and research into their development, uptake, and effectiveness seems warranted.
- Subjects
PRIMARY care; SECONDARY analysis; CANCER patients; GROUNDED theory; RECONCILIATION
- Publication
British Journal of General Practice, 2018, Vol 68, Issue 670, pe323
- ISSN
0960-1643
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.3399/bjgp18X695813