Clinical experience of cancer specialists and geriatricians involved in cancer care of older patients: A qualitative study

Puts, M.T.E.; Girre, V.; Monette, J.; Wolfson, C.; Monette, M.; Batist, G.; Bergman, H.

doi:10.1016/j.critrevonc.2009.04.005

« Previous Next »Critical Reviews in Oncology / Hematology
Volume 74, Issue 2 , Pages 87-96, May 2010

Clinical experience of cancer specialists and geriatricians involved in cancer care of older patients: A qualitative study

M.T.E. Puts
- Solidage Research Group on Frailty and Aging, Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Community Studies, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Corresponding author at: Solidage Research Group on Frailty and Aging, Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Community Studies, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, 3755 Côte Ste-Catherine, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3T 1E2. Tel.: +1 514 340 8222x3864; fax: +1 514 340 8617.
V. Girre
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Sir Mortimer B. Davis-Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Curie, Paris, France
J. Monette
- Solidage Research Group on Frailty and Aging, Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Community Studies, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Sir Mortimer B. Davis-Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
C. Wolfson
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), Montreal, Canada
M. Monette
- Solidage Research Group on Frailty and Aging, Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Community Studies, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
G. Batist
- Segal Cancer Centre, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Canada
H. Bergman
- Solidage Research Group on Frailty and Aging, Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Community Studies, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Sir Mortimer B. Davis-Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Accepted 8 April 2009. published online 08 May 2009.

Abstract

Introduction

Cancer is an important health problem in older persons. The aim of this study was to explore how cancer specialists and geriatricians manage the treatment of older patients with cancer.

Methods

Interviews using semi-structured open-ended questions. Sample: physicians working in oncology and geriatric medicine at McGill affiliated hospitals. Analysis: Grounded-theory approach.

Results

24 cancer specialists and 17 geriatricians participated. There was considerable variability with regard to assessment, treatment plan, and follow-up care and little collaboration between both specialists. The cancer specialists have more older cancer patients in their practice and collaborate with geriatricians mostly to deal with complications of cancer treatment. However, both groups of specialists expressed a desire to collaborate more and had similar research priorities.

Conclusions

There was considerable variability in the management of older patients with cancer. Care for older patients with cancer might be improved by more collaboration between cancer specialists and geriatricians.

Keywords: Cancer in the elderly, Attitudes, Physicians, Decision-making, Clinical experience, Qualitative study, Grounded-theory