A Curtin University study has found that knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of health practitioners influence the care people with cancer receive – and ultimately the effectiveness of treatment plans.<\/p>\n
Curtin Chair of Health Innovation Professor Moyez Jiwa, who is also a general practitioner, said cancer was the most common disease in Australia, with one in two males and one in three females being diagnosed with it during their lifetime.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe patient journey from diagnosis to treatment to follow-up care is complex and can involve many healthcare professionals,\u201d said Professor Jiwa.<\/p>\n
\u201cPrimary care providers – including general practitioners, community pharmacists and allied health practitioners – help to address the psychosocial aspects of cancer and provide continuity of care. As such, these primary caregivers play a key role in patient recovery.<\/p>\n
\u201cDespite this, our research suggests there is considerable room to improve the role primary care providers, specialists, family members and even patients themselves play in cancer care.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeveral factors hinder participation in cancer care including knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of the primary care providers.\u201d<\/p>\n
The study found that appropriate knowledge plus positive attitudes and supportive beliefs were necessary to enhance the engagement of specialists and primary care providers in the continuity of cancer care.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe recommend these underlying beliefs be addressed to develop appropriate educational, screening, and treatment approaches, including models of care and support that facilitate better patient engagement,\u201d Professor Jiwa said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn doing this, we enhance quality of patient care and encourage more effective treatment plans.\u201d<\/p>\n
The study reviewed English publications from 2000 onwards, sourced from six academic databases. A total of 4,212 articles were reviewed to identify studies conducted in the UK, Canada, Holland (or The Netherlands), Australia, or New Zealand.<\/p>\n