2235 Communication between primary care physicians and radiation oncologists in the care of patients receiving palliative radiation treatment

E.A. Barnes; C.M. Neumann; C. Nekolaichuk; E.D. Bruera

doi:10.1016/s0360-3016(99)90504-7

2235 Communication between primary care physicians and radiation oncologists in the care of patients receiving palliative radiation treatment

International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics ◽

10.1016/s0360-3016(99)90504-7 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 45 (3) ◽

pp. 398-399

Author(s):

E.A. Barnes ◽

C.M. Neumann ◽

C. Nekolaichuk ◽

E.D. Bruera

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Primary Care Physicians ◽

Radiation Treatment ◽

Palliative Radiation ◽

Radiation Oncologists

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Communication Between Primary Care Physicians and Radiation Oncologists Regarding Patients With Cancer Treated With Palliative Radiotherapy

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2000.18.15.2902 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 18 (15) ◽

pp. 2902-2907 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Elizabeth A. Barnes ◽

John Hanson ◽

Catherine M. Neumann ◽

Cheryl L. Nekolaichuk ◽

Eduardo Bruera

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Support Services ◽

Primary Care Physicians ◽

Information Needs ◽

Palliative Radiotherapy ◽

Patient Support ◽

Patients With Cancer ◽

Radiation Oncologists ◽

Actual Content

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the satisfaction and information needs of primary care physicians (PCPs) regarding communication with radiation oncologists (ROs), with respect to patients who receive palliative radiotherapy (RT). A selected objective was to evaluate the agreement between PCPs’ expectations and the content of the RO letter sent after completion of RT. PCPs’ knowledge of the role of palliative RT and their awareness of available patient support services were also determined. METHODS: The PCPs of patients discharged from the Cross Cancer Institute after receiving palliative RT were surveyed using a mail-out questionnaire. Questions regarding communication, RT knowledge, and awareness of support services were asked. The corresponding RO letter was reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 148 PCPs were identified and were mailed questionnaires, with 114 (77%) responding. Overall, 80% (87 of 109) of PCPs found the RO letter to be useful in patient management. However, there was poor (< 53%) agreement between PCPs’ expectations and the actual content of the RO letter. Knowledge of the indications and effectiveness of palliative RT was limited, with PCPs obtaining a median score of 4 of a possible 8. Only 27% (31 of 114) of PCPs were aware of all five of the patient support services listed. CONCLUSION: Results show that although the majority of PCPs found the RO letter useful, they believed that the letter lacked important information while containing unnecessary details. Communication between PCPs and ROs needs improvement, especially considering that PCPs seem to have limited knowledge of palliative RT.

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Collaboration between primary care physicians and radiation oncologists

Annals of Palliative Medicine ◽

10.21037/apm.2016.11.03 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 81-86 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Elizabeth A. Barnes ◽

Edward Chow ◽

Cyril Danjoux ◽

May Tsao

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Primary Care Physicians ◽

Radiation Oncologists

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Fool’s Gold: Psychologists Using Disingenuous Reasoning to Mislead Legislatures into Granting Psychologists Prescriptive Authority

American Journal of Law & Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0098858800002586 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 29 (4) ◽

pp. 489-524

Author(s):

Brent Pollitt

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Nurse Practitioners ◽

Primary Care Physicians ◽

American Psychological Association ◽

The United States ◽

Psychotropic Medications ◽

American Psychological ◽

Training Requirements ◽

Prescriptive Authority

Mental illness is a serious problem in the United States. Based on “current epidemiological estimates, at least one in five people has a diagnosable mental disorder during the course of a year.” Fortunately, many of these disorders respond positively to psychotropic medications. While psychiatrists write some of the prescriptions for psychotropic medications, primary care physicians write more of them. State legislatures, seeking to expand patient access to pharmacological treatment, granted physician assistants and nurse practitioners prescriptive authority for psychotropic medications. Over the past decade other groups have gained some form of prescriptive authority. Currently, psychologists comprise the primary group seeking prescriptive authority for psychotropic medications.The American Society for the Advancement of Pharmacotherapy (“ASAP”), a division of the American Psychological Association (“APA”), spearheads the drive for psychologists to gain prescriptive authority. The American Psychological Association offers five main reasons why legislatures should grant psychologists this privilege: 1) psychologists’ education and clinical training better qualify them to diagnose and treat mental illness in comparison with primary care physicians; 2) the Department of Defense Psychopharmacology Demonstration Project (“PDP”) demonstrated non-physician psychologists can prescribe psychotropic medications safely; 3) the recommended post-doctoral training requirements adequately prepare psychologists to prescribe safely psychotropic medications; 4) this privilege will increase availability of mental healthcare services, especially in rural areas; and 5) this privilege will result in an overall reduction in medical expenses, because patients will visit only one healthcare provider instead of two–one for psychotherapy and one for medication.

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