Survivorship and primary care
With improvements in cancer survival and an ageing population, primary health care will continue to play a vital role in survivorship.
While there are variations in the practice of follow-up cancer care, evidence shows that clinicians and patients support a greater role for primary health care in survivorship. It is essential that providers can identify and address the needs of patients.1
The role of primary health care is advancing in the area of survivorship and shifting towards a chronic disease model of care for some cancers. This includes ongoing surveillance, management of mental and physical co-morbidities, and prevention and screening for other cancers.
Primary health care’s involvement in case management and shared care and team care arrangements are important elements of their role in managing cancer as a chronic condition.
Helpful resources
Explore survivorship and primary care resources
eviQ Education provides information for all health professionals involved in the care of people with cancer.
- The Cancer Survivorship rapid learning provides a short overview of survivorship with a focus on the health and wellbeing of a person living with and beyond cancer.
- The Cancer Survivorship Introductory course (six modules) is for health professionals with an interest in survivorship. It includes survivorship fundamentals, useful tools and resources, self-management and promoting wellness.
Survivorship information for patients and carers
1. Meiklejohn JA, Mimery A, Martin JH, et al. The role of the GP in follow-up cancer care: a systematic literature review. J Cancer Surviv. 2016;10(6):990- 1011. doi:10.1007/s11764-016-0545-4
