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PCPs less likely to refer patients to gynecologic oncologists
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42nd Annual Meeting of the Society for Gynecologic Oncologists
ORLANDO — Family physicians and internists were less likely to refer patients to a gynecologic oncologist if they presented with abdominal pain and an ultrasound with a suspicious ovarian mass, according to a recent study.
“Recent studies in the United States have shown that 30% to 50% of patients with ovarian cancer are not receiving comprehensive surgery or being treated by high-volume surgeons,” said Barbara Goff, MD, of the University of Washington School of Medicine. “Our study identifies that primary care physicians do not recommend direct referral to a gynecologic oncologist, which may contribute to the high rates of non-comprehensive surgery for patients with ovarian cancer.”
Just 39.3% of family physicians and 51% of internists reported that they would refer the patient to the gynecologic oncologist. They were much more likely to refer their patients to obstetrician-gynecologists. Among obstetrician-gynecologists, however, two-thirds reported that they would refer a patient with abdominal pain and a suspicious ovarian mass to a gynecologic oncologist.
One-third of the obstetrician-gynecologists reported that they would operate on the patient themselves. Among these, 84% said they would ask a gynecologic oncologist to consult on the surgery. Obstetrician-gynecologists who reported that they would operate on the patient themselves were primarily located in small and remote rural practice locations. Obstetrician-gynecologists in the Middle Atlantic, East North Central, West South Central and Pacific census regions were also more likely to perform the surgery themselves.
The researchers also evaluated factors that were associated with referral patterns. Female internists, doctors who were board-certified, doctors who were part of a group practice and doctors who were located in urban practice areas were more likely to refer their patients to a gynecologic oncologist.
Male physicians, family physicians, solo practitioners, doctors with practices in rural areas and practitioners with higher weekly patient loads were less likely to refer patients to gynecologic oncologists.
For more information:
- Goff B. #10. Presented at: the 42nd Annual Meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists; March 6-9, 2011, Orlando, Fla.
Disclosure: The researchers reported no relevant disclosures.
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