Inventory of tools for care coordination between general practice and hospital system for patients suffering from cancer in active phase of treatment: A scoping review

Abstract

Introduction: During the active phase of treatment, major difficulties appear in the transmission and quality of the information communicated to the General Practitioner (GP). Our objective was to carry out an inventory of the coordination tools used to improve exchanges between the hospital and the GP in the management of the patient suffering from cancer during this phase.

Material and method: A scoping review was conducted using MEDLINE databases via PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science. Articles published between 1998 and 2018, in English and French, were analysed.

Results: Over 4,863 articles were extracted, and 11 studies were included. They highlight an increase in the quality of patient care after the introduction of information sheets or training by video vignettes with GPs. They demonstrate the importance of using standardised letters between health professionals. The role of a "leader physician" is discussed, and its first evaluations are positive. An increase in information transmitted to GPs leads to a better satisfaction of patients and GPs.

Conclusion: Communication tools are essential for the transmission of information, but direct and oral communication between all health professionals seems to be a point to be further developed.

Keywords: cancer; care coordination; general practitioner; primary care.