Abstract
Background and objectives
The literature reveals a lack of consensus on recommendations for follow-up of skin cancer in general practice for all types of skin cancer. The objective of this paper was to evaluate post-treatment surveillance practices for both melanotic and non-melanotic skin cancers (NMSC) by general practitioners (GPs) in regional Victoria, and to identify challenges in follow-up for skin cancers in rural areas.
Methods
A mixed-method study involving a survey and semi-structured interviews with GPs and registrars in Gippsland was carried out in 2015.
Results
The survey of 65 participants showed that 69% (45/65) followed up NMSC opportunistically, while 66% (43/65) reported using a structured follow-up practice for melanoma. Six practitioners from the interviews identified the patient’s level of education, time constraints, practitioner accessibility and specialists’ availability as some common challenges in follow-up.
Discussion
We recommend that rural GPs review follow-up strategies for all skin cancers, through the establishment of guidelines and a recall system.
The literature reveals a lack of consensus on recommendations for follow-up of skin cancer in general practice for all types of skin cancer. The objective of this paper was to evaluate post-treatment surveillance practices for both melanotic and non-melanotic skin cancers (NMSC) by general practitioners (GPs) in regional Victoria, and to identify challenges in follow-up for skin cancers in rural areas.
Methods
A mixed-method study involving a survey and semi-structured interviews with GPs and registrars in Gippsland was carried out in 2015.
Results
The survey of 65 participants showed that 69% (45/65) followed up NMSC opportunistically, while 66% (43/65) reported using a structured follow-up practice for melanoma. Six practitioners from the interviews identified the patient’s level of education, time constraints, practitioner accessibility and specialists’ availability as some common challenges in follow-up.
Discussion
We recommend that rural GPs review follow-up strategies for all skin cancers, through the establishment of guidelines and a recall system.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 222-228 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Australian Journal of General Practice |
| Volume | 48 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Apr 2019 |
Keywords
- educational status
- family practice
- general practice
- general practitioners
- melanoma
- rural health services
- skin neoplasms
- surveys and questionnaires
- Victoria
