Assessing family physicians’ perspectives, perceived competence, and involvement in cancer management to identify barriers and solutions

Abstract

Effective control of the increasing cancer burden requires a multidisciplinary team approach, involving family physicians as the initial point of patient contact. This study explores ways to enhance family physicians’ involvement in cancer control by examining their perspectives, perceived competence, and current roles in cancer care. Additionally, it investigates the barriers they face and the solutions they propose, with a focus on the cause-and-effect relationships that influence their role. An online questionnaire was designed to collect data. The study was conducted between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021. The survey link was e-mailed to family physicians through the formal communication network of TAHUD (Turkish Association of Family Physicians). SPSS was used to analyze the collected data. A total of 200 respondents participated in the survey. The results indicated that while family physicians partially recognize their role in cancer management, they are not sufficiently engaged in cancer control and feel inadequately competent, especially in managing patients after cancer diagnosis. The most frequently reported perceived barriers included uncertainty about family physicians’ roles in cancer management, limited access to laboratory and diagnostic tests, long waiting times between referrals and diagnoses, lack of diagnostic feedback to family physicians, limited authorization to prescribe essential medicines, lack of time, work overload, non-essential duties, administrative issues, and insufficient education. Family physicians also proposed solution strategies to address these barriers. The most vulnerable aspect of cancer management begins at the diagnostic stage. The findings suggest that family physicians currently have limited involvement in cancer control, and several significant perceived barriers were identified across various areas associated with their active participation in cancer management. Concrete steps should be taken to eliminate these barriers and and to provide high-quality and equitable healthcare for the community.