Should the surgeon or the general practitioner (GP) follow up patients after surgery for colon cancer? A randomized controlled trial protocol focusing on quality of life, cost-effectiveness and serious clinical events
2008

Follow-Up for Colon Cancer: GP vs. Surgeon

Sample size: 170 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Knut M Augestad, Barthold Vonen, Ranveig Aspevik, Torunn Nestvold, Unni Ringberg, Roar Johnsen, Jan Norum, Rolv-Ole Lindsetmo

Primary Institution: Norwegian Centre for Telemedicine

Hypothesis

Postoperative follow-up of colon cancer patients by GPs will not impact quality of life or increase serious clinical events.

Conclusion

The study aims to determine if follow-up by GPs is as effective as hospital follow-up for colon cancer patients.

Supporting Evidence

  • The study will measure quality of life every three months for two years.
  • Patients will be randomized to either GP follow-up or hospital follow-up.
  • The study aims to assess cost-effectiveness from both healthcare and societal perspectives.

Takeaway

This study is trying to find out if patients can be checked by their family doctor instead of a hospital doctor after colon cancer surgery, without making them feel worse.

Methodology

Multi-centre randomized controlled trial comparing follow-up by GPs and surgical outpatient clinics.

Limitations

The study may not account for all variables affecting quality of life and costs.

Participant Demographics

Patients undergoing surgery for colon cancer, aged below 75 years.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1472-6963-8-137

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