Shared care follow-up

According to the SCORE (Shared Care follow-up for colOREctal cancer survivors) trial, led by researchers at the Peter Mac Cancer Centre in Melbourne, bowel cancer patients prefer shared care, where follow-up is shared between a GP and hospital specialist (oncologist).

This model of care exists in contrast to the usual or standard model of care, where follow-up is exclusively with a hospital specialist.

The Victorian study has shown that shared care is safe and just as effective as hospital-based care in the follow-up of bowel cancer survivors.

The results of the trial indicate that there is better adherence to shared care, as well as cost savings of A$481 per patient.

Shared care also frees up hospital resources resulting in a more sustainable cancer care.

“Our study shows that shared care is acceptable, safe, preferred by bowel cancer patients, and is cheaper for the healthcare system,” said study investigator Professor Michael Jefford, a medical oncologist at Peter Mac.

“We now need to focus on widespread implementation of this effective model,” he added.