Clinical experience of cancer specialists and geriatricians involved in cancer care of older patients: A qualitative study

IntroductionCancer is an important health problem in older persons. The aim of this study was to explore how cancer specialists and geriatricians manage the treatment of older patients with cancer.MethodsInterviews using semi-structured open-ended questions. Sample: physicians working in oncology and geriatric medicine at McGill affiliated hospitals. Analysis: Grounded-theory approach.Results24 cancer specialists and 17 geriatricians participated. There was considerable variability with regard to assessment, treatment plan, and follow-up care and little collaboration between both specialists. The cancer specialists have more older cancer patients in their practice and collaborate with geriatricians mostly to deal with complications of cancer treatment. However, both groups of specialists expressed a desire to collaborate more and had similar research priorities.ConclusionsThere was considerable variability in the management of older patients with cancer. Care for older patients with cancer might be improved by more collaboration between cancer specialists and geriatricians.