Challenges in Cancer Control Services Provided by Family Physicians in Primary Care: A Qualitative and Quantitative Study From Karabuk Province in Turkey

BACKGROUND: Family physicians (FPs) play an important role in cancer control. The aim of this study was to understand the functions of FPs in cancer control and to explore FPs’ perceptions of their own roles and the difficulties they face in cancer control in Karabuk province, Turkey. METHODS: The study consisted of two methodological parts. The qualitative part included a descriptive study in which data were collected from 87.5% (n=56) out of all FPs in Karabuk using a questionnaire. In the quantitative part, in-depth interviews with 15 FPs were conducted and analyzed through content analysis. RESULTS: Half of the FPs (50.0%) provided cancer prevention information for their registered people, focusing on especially smoking cessation. In the last three months, the proportion of FPs who had not invited anyone to screenings was 37.5% for the pap test, 26.8% for the mammography, 19.0% for the fecal occult blood test and 34.5% for the colonoscopy. Only 16.1% of them reported that they made home visits for cancer patients. In the qualitative part of study, the following themes were highlighted: the perceived responsibilities of FPs regarding cancer control; the effect of geographically undefined working area of FPs; the issues with coordination between FPs and specialists; the effect of the number of primary care team members. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer control services provided by FPs have significant problems in terms of the FPs’ approach to the services and their content, continuity and coordination.