Switch to
| Predicate | Object |
|---|---|
| rdf:type | |
| lifeskim:mentions | |
| pubmed:issue |
2
|
| pubmed:dateCreated |
1998-10-22
|
| pubmed:abstractText |
The value of routine follow-up programs for patients with early stage breast cancer remains an area of controversy. In recent years, the cost-effectiveness of routine investigations has been questioned, and 2 prospective randomized clinical trials have shown no survival advantage to more intensive diagnostic follow-up approaches. Under the auspices of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre, a national survey of the practice patterns of Canadian surgical, radiation and medical oncologists was undertaken to measure current Canadian standards of care and to determine average costs of 5-year follow-up for patients completing primary treatment for stage I and II breast cancer. Standardized questionnaires were sent out to 130 surgeons, 59 radiation oncologists and 89 medical oncologists. The overall response rate was 44%. Based on the frequency of follow-up visits and investigations recommended by respondents, an average cost per patient for a 5-year follow-up plan was derived for each subspecialist group: $791, $911 and $904 for surgeons, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists respectively. Use of a less interventionist follow-up program was estimated to result in a cost saving of $300 per patient over 5 years. The results indicate that, for the most part, Canadian oncologists have been influenced by the available literature concerning follow-up practices and are ordering fewer routine tests. Further cost savings to the Canadian health care system could be achieved with the adoption of even less interventionist follow-up programs.
|
| pubmed:language |
eng
|
| pubmed:journal | |
| pubmed:citationSubset |
IM
|
| pubmed:status |
MEDLINE
|
| pubmed:month |
Apr
|
| pubmed:issn |
1206-548X
|
| pubmed:author | |
| pubmed:issnType |
Print
|
| pubmed:volume |
2
|
| pubmed:owner |
NLM
|
| pubmed:authorsComplete |
Y
|
| pubmed:pagination |
63-71
|
| pubmed:dateRevised |
2004-11-17
|
| pubmed:meshHeading | |
| pubmed:year |
1998
|
| pubmed:articleTitle |
Follow-up practices for patients with early stage breast cancer: a survey of Canadian oncologists.
|
| pubmed:affiliation |
Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre, Ont. etomiak@cancercare.on.ca
|
| pubmed:publicationType |
Journal Article
|