Cancer detection in primary care: Insights from general practitioners

Green, T.; Atkin, K.; Macleod, U.

Abstract

© 2015 Cancer Research UK. Background: General practitioners (GPs) have a key role in cancer detection as the usual first point of contact for patients with potential cancer symptoms. Nevertheless, there is limited work that investigates their perceptions of their role in the early detection of cancer. To address this gap, we aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of cancer diagnosis from the perspective of GPs. Methods: Individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with 55 GPs from the North and North East of England and Greater London. All interviews were recorded and professionally transcribed verbatim. Repeated reading and co-coding engendered systematic thematic analysis across the interview material. Results: Three main themes emerged from the analysis of our data. First, we identified the burden of early cancer detection in general practice, both related to the anxiety and symptoms patients bring to GPs and the need for GPs to recognise patterns of cancer symptoms and refer appropriately; second, this burden is intensified by a perceived fragmentation of services within the National Health Service (NHS); and third, it is made more complex by the interface between general practice and public health. Conclusions: GPs occupy a challenging but pivotal role in cancer detection. It is crucial that this role be supported by policy and research.

Citation

Green, T., Atkin, K., & Macleod, U. (2015). Cancer detection in primary care: Insights from general practitioners. The British Journal of Cancer, 112, S41-S49. https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.2015.41

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 3, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Mar 3, 2015
• Publication Date: Mar 31, 2015
• Deposit Date: Apr 19, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 20, 2022
• Journal: British Journal of Cancer
• Print ISSN: 0007-0920
• Electronic ISSN: 1532-1827
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 112
• Pages: S41-S49
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.2015.41
• Keywords: GPs; Cancer symptoms; Recognition and referral; Qualitative research
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3607669