Primary care: what is their approach to patients with advanced cancer and those who require radiotherapy

建议50-60%的癌症患者在其疾病的某个时期接受放射治疗。然而，在澳大利亚，只有38%的癌症患者接受了放疗。晚期癌症患者可能会因为没有接受姑息性放疗而错过放疗。本研究的具体目的是：探讨晚期癌症患者的初级保健方法，特别是那些需要放疗的患者；确定影响澳大利亚全科医生对晚期癌症症状反应的因素；绘制患者对当前姑息治疗转诊实践的看法。这个项目将包括三个阶段：模拟全科医生会诊、全科医生调查和病人访谈。这些方法将使研究人员能够了解晚期癌症患者和需要放疗的患者的初级保健方法，以及晚期疾病患者如何转诊接受治疗。

It is recommended that 50-60% of all cancer patients receive radiotherapy at some time in their disease. However, only 38% of all cancer patients receive radiotherapy in Australia. Advanced cancer patients may be missing out on radiotherapy because they are not referred for palliative radiotherapy. The specific aims of this study are to: Explore the primary care approach to patients with advanced cancer and particularly those who require radiotherapy; Define factors that influence how Australian GPs respond to symptoms of advanced cancer; Map the patients’ perspective on current referral practice for palliative care. This project will be comprised of three stages: simulated consultations with GPs, survey of GPs and patient interviews. These methods will enable researchers to develop an understanding of the primary care approach to patients with advanced cancer and those who require radiotherapy and how patients with advanced disease are referred for treatment.