Communication between primary care physicians and radiation oncologists regarding patients with cancer treated with palliative radiotherapy

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the satisfaction and infor mation needs of primary care physicians (PCPs) regarding communication with radiation oncologists (ROs), with respect to patients who receive palliati ve radiotherapy (RT), A selected objective was to evaluate the agreement be tween PCPs' expectations and the content of the RO letter sent after comple tion of RT. PCPs' knowledge of the role of palliative RT and their awarenes s of available patient support services were also determined, Methods: The PCPs of patients discharged from the Cross Cancer Institute af ter receiving palliative RT were surveyed using a mail-out questionnaire. Q uestions regarding communication, RT knowledge, and awareness of support se rvices were asked. The corresponding RO letter was reviewed. Results: A total of 148 PCPs were identified and were mailed questionnaires , with 114 (77%) responding. Overall, 80% (87 of 109) of PCPs found the RO letter to be useful in patient management. However, there was poor (< 53%) agreement between PCPs' expectations and the actual content of the RO lette r. Knowledge of the indications and effectiveness of palliative RT was limi ted, with PCPs obtaining a median score of 4 of a possible 8. Only 27% (31 of 114) of PCPs were aware of all five of the patient support services list ed. Conclusion: Results show that although the majority of PCPs found the PO le tter useful, they believed that the letter lacked important information whi le containing unnecessary details. Communication between PCPs and ROs needs improvement, especially considering that PCPs seem to have limited knowled ge of palliative RT. J Clin Oncol 18:2902-2907. (C) 2000 by American Societ y of Clinical Oncology.