Barriers in providing breast and colorectal cancer survivorship care: Perceptions of U.S. primary care physicians (PCPs) and medical oncologists (MOs).

CRA9006 Background: Increased coordination among clinicians in cancer survivorship care is needed yet the literature suggests barriers remain due to a fragmented healthcare system. This is the first nationwide study of barriers PCPs and MOs perceive regarding breast and colorectal cancer survivorship care.,The Survey of Physician Attitudes Regarding the Care of Cancer Survivors (SPARCCS) was mailed to a nationally representative stratified sample (N=5,275) of eligible American Medical Association member PCPs and MOs (N=3,596) providing care to cancer survivors, to permit comparisons of views regarding follow-up testing, roles, knowledge self-confidence, and perceived barriers. We analyzed physician-based barriers using weighted multinomial logistic regression models adjusted for physician demographics, reimbursement, training, and practice characteristics.,2,202 physicians (1,072 PCPs and 1,130 MOs) responded (57.6% response rate; 65.1% cooperation rate). In weighted univariate analyses, PCPs were significantly more likely to report often/always ordering tests or treatments as malpractice protection, being concerned about missed care, and lacking adequate training to manage patient problems. MOs were more likely to report (often/always and sometimes) concerns about duplicated care and about which physician provides general preventive health care. In multivariate regression models, physician specialty remained significant for 3 of 5 physician-based barriers. MOs were less likely to report inadequate training (OR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.22-0.49), less likely to often/always order extra tests due to malpractice concerns (OR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.34-0.84), and more likely to report being often/always (OR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.13-3.43) and sometimes (OR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.60-2.93) uncertain who is providing general preventive care, compared to PCPs.,MOs perceived different physician-based barriers as problematic in cancer follow-up care compared to PCPs. Alleviation of inadequate training, malpractice-driven test ordering, and preventive care delivery barriers may require education and provision of survivorship care plans.