Psychosocial and information needs of people affected by colorectal cancer are poorly met during follow-up

Evid Based Nurs 2011;14:65-66 doi:10.1136/ebn1153 Lisa Kidd

Institute for Applied Health Research, School of Health, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UKCorrespondence to Lisa Kidd
Institute for Applied Health Research, School of Health, Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK; lisa.kidd{at}gcu.ac.ukCommentary on: Beaver K, Latif S, Williamson S, et al. An exploratory study of the follow-up care needs of patients treated for colorectal cancer. J Clin Nurs 2010; 19: 3291– 300.

? Follow-up and aftercare services for people affected by colorectal cancer should place more emphasis on aspects of patient needs (such as quality of life, lifestyle advice, psychosocial issues, information needs and self-management) in making the transition into the survivorship period. Nurses have a key role to play in this.

? Nurse-led models of follow-up may be favourable in providing information tailored towards patient needs and outcomes; more research is needed in this area to determine feasibility, acceptability and impact on outcomes.

Follow-up is typically the phase in which people affected by cancer enter on completion of primary treatment. There is considerable variation in models of follow-up, dependent on cancer type, clinician preferences and local guidelines. For people affected by colorectal cancer, this usually involves hospital outpatient review at regular, but decreasing, intervals over a period of several years and typically involves investigations such as blood tests, CT …

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