• Kadri Suija, Kadi Ilves, Pille Ööpik, Heidi-Ingrid Maaroos, and Ruth Kalda.
• Department of Family Medicine, University of Tartu, 50406 Tartu, Estonia. kadri.suija@ut.ee
• Eur J Gen Pract. 2013 Jun 1; 19 (2): 111-6.

BackgroundContinuity is an important aspect of cancer care that is often a challenge owing to the movement of patients between family practice, cancer clinics, and hospitals.ObjectivesTo investigate the experiences of cancer patients in relation to continuity of care.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted in a family practice setting. Semi-structured interviews were used for data collection. 10 cancer patients with a wide variation in their disease duration and experiences with medical care were interviewed. Open questions were used to encourage patients to express their personal experiences with cancer care. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed by three researchers using thematic analysis.ResultsCancer patients experienced a lack of information concerning cancer and its treatment. They also perceived that the cancer treatment made them suffer. In the patients' opinion, the family doctor has a limited role in cancer care. However, the patients felt that the family doctor should be aware of their health. The patients' satisfaction with the oncologist's care was high. They considered that their role in cancer care was to mediate an exchange of information between the oncologist and the family doctor.ConclusionCancer patients experience continuity of care in several ways: continuity in cancer care should be implemented by co-ordinating activities, such as regular check-ups, a clear timeframe and provision of adequate information. In addition, communication between the primary and secondary sector could be improved.

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