Research building

Share to Care

 Sharing contextual information between primary and secondary oncology care Research
Sharing contextual information between primary and secondary oncology care
Our current members
Many older patients with cancer face difficult treatment decisions, but their preferences are often overlooked. General practitioners (GPs) know their patients well and can help make treatment plans more personalized. However, communication between GPs and specialists is not always smooth. The "Share to Care" project aims to improve this by developing better ways for GPs and specialists to share important information.

Frail patients with cancer often face complex treatment decisions, and their preferences are frequently misjudged. General practitioners (GPs), with their longstanding relationships and contextual knowledge, are uniquely positioned to support more personalized and sustainable cancer care. However, primary-secondary care communication is not sufficiently equipped to meet this need.

The Share to Care project will answer the research question "How can we personalize oncological treatment decisions by improving (tele)communication between primary and secondary care?". This project will lay the foundation for a dedicated research line focused on improving primary-secondary communication in cancer care and thereby alleviating pressure on the healthcare system.

This 60-month project includes three work packages:

  1. International Developments: Interviews and a literature review will identify effective communication models from countries with healthcare systems similar to the Dutch system.
  2. Consensus on Key Information: A Delphi study in the Netherlands with 3 panels (cancer patients, medical specialists, GPs) will determine the desired content, timing, and mode of shared information.
  3. Bidirectional Teleconsultation: A teleconsultation system will be developed, pilot-tested and evaluated using the RE-AIM framework in the Northern Netherlands, and a nationwide implementation plan will be created.
Relevance

How our research benefits society

The project will deliver a tested teleconsultation system, practical recommendations, insights to inform national guidelines and a detailed implementation plan.

By bridging the communication gap between GPs and medical specialists, this project will improve patient-centered cancer care, reduce unnecessary interventions, and relieve healthcare pressures. Scalable, cost-effective solutions and close involvement of all stakeholders will ensure nationwide applicability.

Contact

Mariken Stegmann Postdoctoral researcher, GP

University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG)
Department of Primary and Long-term Care
Internal postcode FA21
P.O. Box 196
9700 AD Groningen

Visiting address

University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG)
Department of Primary and Long-term Care
Oostersingel | entrance 47 | building 50 | 2nd floor
Groningen
The Netherlands