A Population Based Assessment of Primary Care Physician Visits and Acute Care Utilization Among Women Receiving Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer
Year: 2014
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objective: To gain a better understanding of the association between the care provided by primary care physicians (PCPs) during active cancer treatment and acute care utilization, defined as emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations.Approach: A population based retrospective cohort study was used to examine PCP visits and acute care use among women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer (ESBC) and treated with adjuvant chemotherapy, in Ontario.Results: Chemotherapy patients had a significantly higher intensity of PCP visits compared to the women themselves prior to diagnosis (RR 1.48, 95% CI 1.44 to 1.63, P<.0001) and with non-cancer controls (RR 1.51, 95% CI 1.46 to 1.57, P<.0001).The likelihood of experiencing an ED visit or hospitalization increased following a PCP visit.Conclusion: Patients continue to see their PCP during chemotherapy treatment.However, PCP visits during chemotherapy treatment did not result in a decrease in the frequency of ED visits or hospitalizations.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Sarah Jane Bastedo
Language: English
Topic: Cancer survivorship and care
Subfield: Oncology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2563996439