Background
Survivorship Care Plans (SCP) contain individualised information about a person’s cancer diagnosis and treatment, recommendations for managing treatment-related side effects and reducing lifestyle risk factors for cancer recurrence and chronic disease. At the initial SCSC clinic, a SCP is developed by the Survivorship multidisciplinary team (medical oncologist, dietitian, exercise physiologist, consultant nurse and clinical psychologist), in conjunction with the survivor, and then posted to the survivor, their GP and cancer specialists.
Methods
Survivors were invited to participate in an interview via phone or in person, 6-14 months after their initial clinic visit. Structured questions investigated whether the survivor received the SCP, how it was used and shared. Open-ended questions evaluated adherence to SCP recommendations and feedback on usefulness of the SCP.
Results:
In total, 110 patients were interviewed, a further 55 were uncontactable, had insufficient English or declined (67% response rate). Mean time between initial clinic visit and interview was 10 months (SD=2). Median age was 60 (range 33-83) years, and 72 (66%) were female. In total, 72/110 (65.5%) acknowledged receiving their SCPs, 21 (19%) stated they did not receive one, and 17 (15.5%) were not sure. Of the 72 that received a SCP, 62 (86%) found it helpful. Sixty-four (89%) did not show their SCP to other healthcare professionals. Thirty-three (46%) showed their SCP to family and/or friends. Sixty-five (90%) reported following at least one SCP recommendation, especially improving diet and increasing exercise.
Conclusion
Most survivors received their SCP and found it useful, but 34.5% of survivors either did not receive it or did not remember receiving it, highlighting the need to improve SCP delivery.The majority did not discuss their SCP with healthcare professionals but did show it to family/friends. Survivors reported implementing at least one of their SCP recommendations.